Mental health is a problem that many people everywhere struggle with. It knows no boundaries between religion, color, country, or sexuality. What does see boundaries and limitations are people themselves. This can make finding the proper mental health care difficult for people in situations that don’t fit the “societal norm”. One specific group that struggles with these mental health challenges are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
When it comes to receiving proper health care, 22% of individuals who identify as transgender have said that they have avoided visiting with doctors for their mental health because they are afraid they will be discriminated against. This fear comes from years of the LGBTQIA+ community being treated poorly by their peers.
It’s important to understand the large disparities in mental health care within the LGBTQIA+. Access to Mental health care and treatment is challenging for many in need, but sometimes it is more of a challenge for those within this community to obtain the care that they need.
Discrimination that members of the LGBTQIA+ community face as been associated with higher rates for psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
- 57% of LGBTQIA+ people say that they have been threatened
- 51% of LGBTQIA+ people have reported sexual harassment
- 51% of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced violence because of their sexuality or gender identity
- Teens in the LGBTQIA+ community are six times more likely to have symptoms of depression compared to non-LGBTQIA+ teens
- LGBTQIA+ kids are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal thoughts
- LGBTQIA+ youth are over four times as likely to actually attempt suicide than non-LGBTQIA+ teens
- Of the adults who are transgender, 48% report that they have considered suicide in the past year
Sources for stats: https://www.mhanational.org/issues/lgbtq-communities-and-mental-health
While those numbers are disheartening, here is another thing to consider. In a survey completed with people in the LGBTQIA+ community, over half of the respondents said that they have faced insurance denials due to theirsexual orientation, harsh language towards them, or blaming the individual’s sexual orientation or gender as the cause of their mental illness.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community need allies to help ensure that their basic human rights are being met and that their mental health can be cared for. Like anyone that struggles with mental health, they require loving family members, friends or community members to be supportive and compassionate toward their unique challenges.
To support your LGBTQIA+ loved ones and friends, try looking inward first. To truly provide the support that they need, look inward to see if you are carrying biases or using harmful language without realizing it. These simple things can be mental hurdles for the people you love and are trying to help.
If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community that is struggling with mental health problems, support is available. The following are free hotline resources. There is no shame(in)going to the doctor when you are sick, so you should feel no shame in getting therapy and treatment when you are mentally struggling.
The Trevor Project : 866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
LGBTQ National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564
Fenway Health LGBTQ Healthline and Peer Listening: 617-267-9001
You can also find Behavioral health treatment and support at Alvarado Parkway Institute. If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health issues or substance use disorders, give us a call at our 24 hour support line at 619 832-0737. Our team of compassionate and caring Behavioral Healthcare professionals can help you take the first steps towards the care and treatment that you deserve.
