Bi+ Nederland estimates 442,000 bi+ people have poor mental health

Bi+ Nederland says an estimated 442,000 bi+ people in the Netherlands feel psychologically unhealthy and is calling for more attention to their needs in healthcare and public policy. The figure is the organisation’s own calculation from a new survey, according to an ANP report republished by Nieuws.nl on 6 October. [1]

The Lhbtiqa+ monitor classified 26% of 1,894 bi+ respondents as psychologically unhealthy, compared with 18% of 2,579 people in its cisgender, heterosexual and non-intersex comparison group. The classification is based on five questionnaire answers, not a count of clinical diagnoses. The survey was conducted from 24 March to 12 April 2026 for the Dutch education ministry. [2] [3]

The bi+ results were not weighted to reflect the wider population, and the researchers say they do not know how representative they are. The survey covered adults aged 18 and over. Applying the published 26% literally would imply a base of about 1.7 million bi+ people, but that does not establish which base the organisation used. [1] [2]

Director Barbara Oud says bi+ people remain barely visible to healthcare workers, local authorities and policymakers. The monitor found that 21% of bi+ respondents had seen a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist in the preceding year, against 14% of the comparison group. That records contact with care, not whether a professional knew someone’s orientation or met their needs. [1] [2]