In May 2024, ZGBTST launched its sixth Summer Survey since the organisation was established in 2017.
The findings from each of our surveys are used to create better services and further highlight the gaps within the available support across the community.
The findings from 2024 were interesting. with 48.8% of respondents stating that the current mental health services are fit for purpose and 32% stating that they are not. This figure has risen in recent years and this is the first time since launching our survey that the answer ‘Yes’ has received more votes than ‘No’.
When asked what the most important part of a mental health service was from a user’s point of view, 70.4% stated communication as being the most important with reputation being the least important element when using a service. This result almost fits in line with our thoughts within ZGBTST; We believe that even when a service suffers reputational damage, people will still seek help from them until they are let down and services users find themselves back at square one after receiving a bad experience. This experience lingers while the individual seeks assistance elsewhere and they remain impacted by the previous negative experience. It therefore takes time to obtain the individual’s trust.
Waiting lists were highlighted as the main gap in services. This is a common answer as many services are under financial strain to meet the current service user referral level. The waiting lists specifically mentioned were:
- CAMHS
- ADHD/ASD diagnosis and support
- Adult ASD support
Inadequate levels of support were also mentioned as a gap in services, particularly
surrounding:
- Women
- Teenagers
- People from different cultural backgrounds (New category mention in 2024)
Mental health stigma and accessibility remain a huge barrier, especially about the cost-of-living crisis.
As ZGBTST is in the process of developing its own training schedule, the results from the survey show the aspects that are missing from community knowledge on mental health and wellbeing such as:
- The importance of self-care
- Resilience building
- Coping Strategies
- Peer Support
- Available Support Services
- Mental Health Impact of COVID – 19
- Specific Conditions such as: ADHD, PTSD, FND
- Mental health and the workplace
ZGBTST will take the above factors into consideration when developing our new mental health training programme in 2025.
