Please find attached the latest Spirituality and Mental Health bulletin produced by the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust library team. If you are unable to access any of the included articles please contact academic.library@lscft.nsh.uk.
Category: Equality & Diversity
Gambling awareness update and new research insights
Several new reports published in 2025 offer important insight into gambling related harm and how services, communities and systems can respond more effectively.
A synthesis report from GambleAware shares learning from a three year national marketing campaign focused on reducing stigma around gambling harm. The findings highlight the value of open conversation, non judgemental language and clear routes to support in helping people feel able to seek help earlier.
Another report from the Tavistock Institute showcases impactful practice across joined up local systems. Drawing on nine case studies from England, Scotland and Wales, it demonstrates how stronger partnership working can create more integrated and accessible support for people affected by gambling related harms.
Research led by the University of Brighton focuses on gambling and gambling harms within LGBTQ plus communities. The findings explore how experiences of discrimination, mental health challenges and substance use can intersect with gambling behaviour, and underline the importance of inclusive and culturally sensitive support.
Finally, the State of the Nation report from GambleAware brings together evidence on gambling harms among children and young people in Great Britain. It highlights patterns of risk, the influence of digital environments, and the need for prevention, education and early intervention.
Together, these resources offer valuable learning for anyone working in mental health, public health, education or community services, and reinforce the importance of compassionate, evidence based approaches to reducing gambling harm.
All reports are freely available via the GambleAware publication library: Publication Library – Gambling Research, Evidence & Statistics
Spirituality and Mental Health bulletin
Please find attached the latest Spirituality and Mental Health bulletin produced by the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust library team. If you are unable to access any of the included articles please contact academic.library@lscft.nsh.uk.
Spirituality and Mental Health bulletin
Please find attached the latest Spirituality and Mental Health bulletin produced by the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust library team. If you are unable to access any of the included articles please contact academic.library@lscft.nsh.uk.
Breaking Barriers: Diversity in NHS Communications
A new NHS Confederation report explores key insights and recommendations aimed at improving access, career experiences, and outcomes for ethnic minority (BME) communications professionals across the NHS. It highlights institutional racism, structural bias, limited career progression, and a worrying trend: 26% of surveyed BME communicators expect to leave the profession within three years. The report underscores the urgent need for inclusive practices, allyship, and measurable change across the communications workforce.
Read the full report here: Breaking barriers | NHS Confederation
New ONS Report Reveals Elevated Self-Harm and Suicide Rates Among LGB+ Adults
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released a ground breaking analysis linking 2021 Census data with NHS records, revealing that adults identifying as LGB+ in England and Wales face significantly higher rates of self-harm and suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
Key Findings:
- The age-standardised rate of intentional self-harm for LGB+ individuals was 1,508.9 per 100,000 people between March 2021 and December 2023, compared to 598.4 per 100,000 for heterosexual individuals.
- The suicide rate among LGB+ adults stood at 50.3 per 100,000 people, more than double the rate of 23.1 per 100,000 observed in heterosexual adults.
- Bisexual individuals exhibited the highest self-harm rates within the LGB+ group, at 1,669.5 per 100,000 people.
- The risk of self-harm was notably higher among LGB+ females, with a rate 2.8 times greater than that of heterosexual females.
- Young adults aged 16 to 24 identifying as LGB+ had a self-harm rate 2.8 times higher than their heterosexual peers.
These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health support and suicide prevention strategies within the LGB+ community.
Read the full report: ONS – Self-harm and suicide by sexual orientation, England and Wales
The Role of Social Prescribing Interventions in Addressing Health Inequalities in the United Kingdom: A Narrative Review.
SP is important in addressing health inequalities, particularly by targeting sociopsychological factors and managing long-term conditions. However, the complexity of these inequalities requires more tailored models and research. None of the studies examined SP within NHS National Health Inequalities framework such as Core20PLUS5. Overcoming barriers such as resource limitations, training gaps and accessibility challenges, while strengthening link-worker relationships, is essential.
The King’s Fund: Understanding the Health of Ethnic Minority Women in England
The King’s Fund’s recent report delves into the health disparities experienced by women from ethnic minority groups in England. It reveals that while some groups have lower overall mortality rates than their White British counterparts, they face higher incidences of certain preventable conditions and maternal mortality. Factors such as socio-economic status, cultural assimilation, and structural racism contribute to these inequalities. The report emphasizes the need for culturally competent healthcare services and targeted policies to address these disparities.
Read the full report: The King’s Fund
New Books for Our Teenage Collection!
Looking for something fresh to read? We’ve just added some fantastic new books to our Teenage Collection! Whether you need advice on mental health, body image, social media, or identity, these books have got you covered. From Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys to Social Anxiety Relief for Teens, there’s something for everyone.
Come check them out at the library!
LGBT+ History Month
February is LGBT+ History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions, history, and achievements of the LGBT+ community. Get involved, learn more, and celebrate diversity!
For more information go to the LGBT+ History Month website!