Exploring LGBTQIA+ Mental Health: A Guide for Pride Month
Pride month is a joyous time for the LGBTQIA+ community, as it celebrates the progress of LGBTQIA+ advocates in the continued search for equity and equality. While Pride month offers a time to bolster connectedness and community, it also highlights the need for continued social progress in support of our LGBTQIA+ family.
As a mental health professional, I continue to see disparity in mental health outcomes for the queer community, as individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or any other sexual or gender minority report higher rates of anxiety and depression than non-LGBTQIA+ members.
While we continue to celebrate pride all month, let’s also take a closer look at what factors impact the mental wellness of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Risk Factors Impacing LGBTQIA+ Mental Health
Social Stigma and Discrimination
Social stigma and discrimination remain significant risk factors for LGBTQIA+ individuals' mental health. Many forms of discrimination, such as prejudice, labeling, stereotyping, denial of opportunities or access, bullying, and verbal, mental and physical abuse can lead to shame, isolation, and low self-esteem. Constant exposure to these stressors can result in anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Family Rejection and Lack of Support
Family support plays a vital role in an individual's mental health. Unfortunately, many LGBTQIA+ individuals face family rejection or lack of understanding, leading to a range of emotional difficulties. For example, according to a study conducted by The Trevor Project, fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming. The absence of familial acceptance can intensify feelings of loneliness, alienation, and self-doubt. Such experiences may contribute to increased rates of substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Lack of Accessible and Culturally Competent Mental Health Services
Accessing appropriate mental health care that understands and addresses the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals can be a challenge. Many mental health professionals lack training in LGBTQIA+ issues, leading to a lack of understanding and potentially inadequate support. Additionally, lack of access to affordable healthcare, limited availability of professionals, and continued social stigma around mental health support, add continued challenges. For example, The Trevor Project found that 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.
Nurturing LGBTQIA+ Mental Well-Being
The LGBTQIA+ community has much to celebrate this Pride month, while we’re also aware that there is still more progress to be seen, especially in terms of mental health care. Discrimination, lack of support, and inaccessibility of mental health care continue to negatively impact the mental wellness of the LGBTQIA+ community.
It is our goal at Calm Mind Therapy to help our LGBTQIA+ clients heal through compassionate and trauma-informed care. We work to embrace diversity, foster inclusivity, and advocate for change to best support the mental health and well-being of our clients. Click here to get in contact with us and let us help you or your loved one get the support they deserve. We welcome you to feel all your emotions this Pride month - Happy Pride!
****
Calm Mind Therapy is a boutique mental health practice located in Ardmore, PA, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and young adults. Our mission is to provide the Main Line with high-quality mental health services for children, teens, and adults. Our goal is to help our clients achieve emotional well-being and build a life worth living. Serving clients in Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Narberth, Radnor, Lower Merion, Haverford, Villanova, Swarthmore, Devon, Berwyn, Malvern, Bala Cynwyd, and more.
