Mental Health Risks and Protective Factors for LGBTQ Individuals: Essential Resources for Support

 June is Pride month, a time to celebrate and appreciate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. While this month is about celebrating, we want to acknowledge and bring awareness to the increased mental health risks for individuals in the LGBTQ community, as well as protective factors and resources. While being LGBTQ is not a mental illness, nor does it cause mental illness, it does make it more likely to experience circumstances that can be detrimental to mental health. Research from the National Institute of Health shows that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are about twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience mental health conditions, and transgender folks are close to four times as likely than cisgender individuals to experience mental health conditions. Not only are adults at greater risk, but children and teens as well. Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are more than twice as likely to experience depression than their heterosexual peers, while transgender youth are twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression and consider or attempt suicide.

There are several risk factors that lead to an increased rate of mental health conditions in the LGBTQ community. While our society has come a long way, and is increasingly accepting of LGBTQ people, this has also added pressure for individuals to “come out” or experiment with gender identity and sexual orientation from a younger age, which can have an impact on peer relationships and self esteem. Another common theme that puts LGBTQ folks at risk is rejection. Studies show that just under half of LGBTQ individuals report experiencing rejection from their families or peers due to their sexual or gender identity. A 2019 study found that 86% of LGBTQ youth experience bullying, harassment, or assault in school. Belonging and acceptance has played an important role in our evolutionary nature, making rejection from families and peers a big factor in the development of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other mental health conditions.  LGBTQ individuals also face a higher likelihood of trauma due to identity based shaming such as homophobia and transphobia. Members of the LGBTQ community experience various forms of discrimination, stereotyping, bullying, abuse, and hate crimes. These forms of discrimination and violence put members of the community at a heightened risk for experiencing PTSD, or other trauma related disorders. 

Although there are risks, there is hope as well. A major protective factor for LGBTQ individuals is finding an accepting group, whether it be family or friends, who love and appreciate them for who they are. Being able to live as one’s authentic self increases quality of life, happiness and self-esteem. Coming out can be a major challenge, but when done at an individual’s own pace it can allow acceptance of the self, as well as the ability to find community. Forming relationships with other LGBTQ folks increases a sense of belonging and connectedness, which reduces risks for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance use. Connecting with your local LGBT center can help you to build connections in the community as well as get linked to resources and other supports.

 If you are an LGBTQ individual suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, or trauma, that has been a result of isolation, discrimination, harassment, etc., finding a therapist that is not only competent in treating those conditions, but is also a member or ally of the community will ensure safety in the therapeutic relationship. There are therapists who specialize in issues relating to exploration of sexual or gender identity, supporting individuals through gender transition, processing traumas related to their gender or sexual identity, and more. If you are feeling isolated and stuck, taking the leap to get connected with resources is the first step to healing and living an authentic life. To get help, contact your local LGBTQ center, a therapist, or one of the resources below:

Resources

Suicide Prevention for LGBT youth- Www.thetrevorproject.org to chat online, call 866- 488-7386 or text START to 678-678

National Suicide Prevention Hotline- 988

LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline- 888-688-5428

LGBT National Help Center- 

          Youth talk line- 800-246-7743

           Senior hotline- 888-234-7243

TransLifeline- 877-565-8860