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More than 80 per cent of LGBT students in China struggle with depression

The new study found around 40 per cent of students admitted they considered suicide

By Steve Brown

Words: Steve Brown

More than 80 per cent of LGBTQ students in China struggle with depression, according to a new survey.

According to a poll by Beijing Normal University, found around 85 per cent of students who identify as LGBTQ suffer from poor mental health and around 40 per cent had admitted they have considered suicide.

The survey also found that more than 80 per cent of the students taking part in the study had come out to someone but around three quarters said they had not told their parents, teachers or other relatives.

Shockingly, only 2.9 per cent said they had supportive teachers and those who had positive LGBTQ role models had better mental health.

China legalised same-sex sexual activity back in 1997 and declassified homosexuality as a mental illness in 2001.

However, the country has no laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination and same-sex couples are still unable to marry or adopt.