Half of LGBTQ+ professionals have experienced depression & few feel they can be “authentic” at work

Nearly half of LGBTQ+ professionals have experienced depression at some point in their lives, according to a new global study.

The research from talent platform and LGBTQ+ professional network myGwork revealed 44.6% of LGBTQ+ professionals shared they’ve experienced episodes of depression at some point in their careers.

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“I walk around my city, and I see businesses that have gay pride flags and pride flags in their windows,” one gay man said.

That rate rose to 53.3% for trans and nonbinary participants and 59% for bi and plurisexual individuals.

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“Our latest research highlights the significant mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ professionals globally,” said Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, cofounders of myGwork. “This calls for urgent change and presents an opportunity for employers to lead in creating a supportive world.”

MyGwork partnered with social psychologist and LGBTQ+ mental health expert Marc Svensson for the study which enrolled over 1000 participants from 65 countries.

The study also found anxiety is a significant issue among LGBTQ+ professionals, with around a third (31%) reporting experiences of a generalized anxiety disorder.

As with depression, those figures are markedly higher for trans, nonbinary, and bi+/pluri-sexual individuals, highlighting pervasive mental health struggles among the LGBTQ+ community.

The survey found that many LGBTQ+ professionals feel uncomfortable about expressing their authentic selves in the workplace. Just 13.7% of respondents said they can be fully authentic in societal or workplace environments, indicating a widespread issue of self-censorship and fear. 

The majority of respondents (72.2%) said they felt they could be authentic among friends. About half that number (35.7%) said they could be their true selves around family, and a similar proportion (32.6%) at work.

Despite that low number in the workplace, the study found over half (58%) of LGBTQ+ professionals said they’re open about their sexual orientation with everyone or most people at work. The study found regional differences with higher levels of openness reported in the U.K. and Europe compared to North America and Africa. 

Three-quarters of respondents indicated their workplaces don’t offer adequate mental health support or training. 

“It is vital to recognize their unique struggles and provide comprehensive mental health support,” the myGwork founders said of LGBTQ+ professionals. “Workplaces must not only be inclusive but also actively support LGBTQ+ individuals to foster thriving environments.”

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