To be or not to be? The question of equitable healthcare

Purpose The purpose of this commentary is to appraise and critically evaluate sexual minorities' mental health provision according to individual and systemic barriers to mental health care. It addresses the issue of health inequity by first exploring the background narrative that informs health inequalities and then moving forward in creating a health equity framework. Design/methodology/approach From the focus point of mad studies and queer theory. Findings In this critical commentary, the work alongside others will be viewed and discussed in terms of addressing individual and systemic barriers to mental health care. Furthermore, how this has been significantly influenced by the colonisation of mental health with its polarising language and increased marginalisation will be discussed. Practical implications Progress world view (PWV) will help sexual minorities receive the care needed. Social implications Through the decolonisation of mental health, there will be a new understanding that helps us achieve health equity by using a gay worldview lens called the PWV (Broadway-Horner, 2024). Originality/value In closing, recommendations for future research alongside policy implications for service restructuring implementation of a decolonising health service. This will include a national training package to increase self-efficacy levels. It brings together a cohesive understanding of the PWV within a larger body of work on sexual minorities and mental health.