A new campaign aims to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) young people to look for assistance if they are struggling with their mental health.

The campaign is being led by BeLonG To Youth Services, the national organisation which supports LGBTI youth in this country. It said that compared to their peers, LGBTI young people are much more more likely to self-harm and to attempt suicide.

Levels of extreme stress, anxiety and depression are also much higher in this group.

It pointed to the LGBTI Ireland Report, published in 2016, which found that 56% of LGBTI people aged between 14 and 18 years had self-harmed, 70% had suicidal thoughts and over 30% had attempted suicide.

The report also noted a link between LGBTI-related bullying and social exclusion, and serious mental health problems.

According to the organisation's executive director, Moninne Griffith, while we are now living in a more inclusive Ireland, experience and research shows that LGBTI young people still need support and guidance when it comes to mental health.

"With this campaign we're hoping to highlight that seeking help is always worth it. We want to show that sharing problems can be a liberating and life-saving experience. We also want to help young people to understand that getting help isn't something to be feared.

"The ultimate focus is for LGBTI youth to actively seek out solutions to mental health problems, and to understand that it is their right to do so," she explained.

The campaign is supported by Bank of Ireland. For more information on BeLonG To, click here