Written by: Dr. Shannon Whittington, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The LGBTQ+ community is a diverse group of people who identify with different sexual orientations and gender identities. LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other terms that people use to describe themselves. Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental illness or disorder, but it can bring unique challenges and risks to mental health.
According to various studies, LGBTQ+ adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals (people whose gender identity matches their birth sex) to experience a mental health condition. LGBTQ+ youth are also more likely to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts and attempts than their heterosexual and cisgender peers.
Some of the factors that contribute to the higher rates of mental health problems among LGBTQ+ people include:
Societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of civil and human rights
Harassment, violence, and rejection from family, peers, and colleagues
Internalized shame, guilt, and low self-esteem
Lack of access to affirming and culturally competent health care and support services
Intersectionality of multiple marginalized identities, such as race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status
These factors can cause chronic stress, isolation, trauma, and negative emotions that affect the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people. However, not all LGBTQ+ people experience mental health issues or face the same challenges. Many LGBTQ+ people are resilient and thrive in the face of adversity with the help of supportive families, communities, and peers. For those who do deal with this issue, though, there are therapeutic approaches that have yielded good results. Some of these approaches are:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of psychotherapy that helps people identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors that affect their mood and functioning. CBT can help LGBTQ+ people reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): A type of psychotherapy that helps people accept their thoughts and feelings without judging them and commit to actions that align with their values and goals. ACT can help LGBTQ+ people increase their psychological flexibility, reduce emotional distress, and enhance their well-being.
Affirmative therapy: A type of psychotherapy that validates and supports the identity and experiences of LGBTQ+ people. Affirmative therapy can help LGBTQ+ people explore their sexuality and gender identity, cope with stigma and discrimination, improve their self-esteem and relationships, and integrate their multiple identities.
Group therapy: A type of psychotherapy that involves meeting with other people who share similar issues or experiences. Group therapy can provide LGBTQ+ people with a safe space to express themselves, learn from others, receive feedback and support, and develop social skills.
Family therapy: A type of psychotherapy that involves working with family members to improve communication, understanding, and conflict resolution. Family therapy can help LGBTQ+ people and their families address issues such as coming out, acceptance, rejection, identity development, and family dynamics.
If you are an LGBTQ+ person who is struggling with mental health issues or looking for support, you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you find the right therapist or service for your needs. Some of these resources are:
The Trevor Project: A national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth under 25. You can call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 to talk to a trained counselor 24/7. You can also chat online or join a peer support group on their website.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: A national network that provides free and confidential emotional support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can call 1-800-273-8255 or chat online 24/7.
The GLBT National Help Center: A national organization that provides free and confidential peer support and information to LGBTQ+ people of all ages. You can call 1-888-843-4564 or chat online Monday-Friday from 4 pm to midnight ET / 1 pm to 9 pm PT. You can also email them at help@GLBThotline.org or visit their website for more resources.
The Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC): A division of the American Counseling Association that promotes awareness and advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues in counseling. Visit their website for information on finding an affirming counselor in your area or online, as well as other resources and publications.
Remember, your mental health matters. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and proud of who you are. There is help and hope and reaching out to someone is the most important step.
Dr. Shannon Whittington, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
LGBTQ+ Certified Speaker, author, consultant. nurse.Not another boring bio folks. Bottom line, I’m a nurse educator and author who loves helping people. I’m gay so I guess that makes me a gay nurse educator! I recognized a huge LGBTQ+ knowledge gap within myself and within organizations. Instead of groaning about it, I decided to grow about it. So, I went back to school to get a bunch of extra letters after my name to look smart so people would listen to what I have to say. It seems to be working most times. Here’s the tea: us gay folks are everywhere. My mission is to empower organizations with rainbow inclusion and to transform how healthcare is delivered to the LGBTQ+ community.
