When it comes to mental health we must remember that it can affect anyone of any race, age, gender or sexuality. It is also important to recognize that people in the LGBTQ+ community are one of the groups known to be disproportionately affected by mental health issues. The community as a whole often receives significantly less social support, particularly if their household or area in which they live consists of conservative mindsets. They also experience discrimination, even when seeking mental health services. This can lead to mental illnesses being left untreated and possibly allow them to get significantly worse over time. This discrimination is often worse when it comes to minorities within the LGBTQ+ community.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, those who are gay, lesbian, and bisexual are more than twice as likely to struggle with their mental health compared to those who are heterosexual. It is also proven that bisexuals in particular may feel more isolated than others because they may face discrimination in the LGBTQ+ community and society as a whole.
One of the most marginalized groups in America today is the transgender community. Most people who are transgender experience body dysmorphia, which is a mental illness in which one has an obsessive focus of their appearance and any flaws they see in themselves. In most cases this is due to the feeling that their body does not match their gender. In addition, according to the Center for Suicide Prevention, 22-43% of transgender individuals have attempted to commit suicide. As a society, we should do our best to lower this percentage by accepting every individual for who they are and helping everyone who struggles with mental health no matter who they are.
Stats:
LGBTQ youth is 14 times more at risk of suicide than straight cisgender youth.
With a strong support from family, people are 93% less likely to commit suicide or consider it.
67% trans youth reported self harm
⅓ of trans youth have attempted suicide
45% of trans youth have seriously thought about killing themselves.
25% trans youth reported running away from home
More than 8 out of 10 students have been verbally harassed in school.
To further educate yourself:
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
National network of local organizations, educators, and students determined to give students a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ+ inclusive education.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health: Insights From MHA Screening
Includes a report containing data from the about 300,000 LGBTQ+ individuals that took a mental health screening from 2017-2019.
Bullying in Schools: Harassment Puts Gay Youth At Risk
Informs about the bullying and discrimination that affects the gay community.
Some resources that will help anyone in the LGBTQ+ community:
Provides 24/7 support via phone call, text, or instant messaging online.
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Supports the transformation of the mental health of queer and transgender people of color
Consists of individuals apart of the LGBTQ+ community sharing their stories to help teens see that it gets better.
Professionally facilitated live chat online support groups for the LGBTQ+ community for teens.
Offers confidential peer support connections for LGBT youth through text and online chat.
Cites sources:
“LGBTQ+ Communities and Mental Health.” Mental Health America,
“Mental Health Disparities: LGBTQ.” American Psychiatric Association ,
file:///Users/owner/Downloads/Mental-Health-Facts-for-LGBTQ.pdf.
Thorp, Deb. “Understanding Mental Health in the Transgender Community.”
HealthPartners Blog, 20 Aug. 2019, www.healthpartners.com/blog/mental-
health-in-the-transgender-community/.
“Transgender People and Suicide.” Centre for Suicide Prevention, 31 Jan. 2020,
www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/transgender-people-suicide/.
Comments