Beyond Statistics: Supporting LGBT Mental Health
The stigma around LGBT Mental Health
The social acceptance of LGBT identities in Western societies reflects the recognition by allied healthcare professionals that homosexuality and gender diversity are not fixable behaviors, but rather innate qualities of humans, and that these identities are valid.
However, there is no denying that stigma and discrimination towards LGBT individuals still occur.
What research tells us
It only takes a quick look at the academic literature to find that LGBT people experience a disproportionate level of mental health issues compared to the general population.
Recent figures indicate that...
The LGBT population is 4.5 times more likely to receive a diagnosis or treatment for a mental disorder, such as depression and anxiety.
experience higher levels of overall psychological distress
Australian LGBTQI+ adults are also 18 per cent more likely to have considered suicide in the past 12 months and 30% have tried to end their life at least once.
Transgender and bisexual people are at particular risk of non-suicidal self-harm behaviours.
Why do LGBT people experience higher rates of mental health issues?
Minority Stress theories provide some explanation as to why LGBT people may experience higher levels of mental health issues.
According to the theory minority groups (like LGBT people) experience oppression from the dominant group in society, which adversely affects their wellbeing.
According to the theory, events that happen in the environment (e.g., discrimination, violence and rejection, verbal abuse) can lead to additional internalised stressors (e.g., internalised homophobia/transphobia, expectations of rejection).
As a result, minority individuals may hide their identity for fear of further victimisation.
On a slightly positive note, however, this theory also accounts for characteristics of minority identity that may improve mental health.
For example, when LGBTQIA+ individuals form a strong bond around a shared identity, build a supportive community, and establish chosen families, it becomes a powerful source of strength and resilience.
What are the next steps for supporting LGBT people with mental health issues?
The statistics on LGBT mental health are alarming and many people may wonder, do these individuals have access to appropriate psychological care?
Research would suggest that perhaps they do not.
LGBT people report a lack of satisfaction of mental health professionals' knowledge of specific issues related to sexuality and gender diversity and reported experiences of bias and discrimination when accessing support, in addition to difficulty in services in a timely manner.
Additionally, the practitioner’s confidence to advertise to LGBT people, and seek appropriate training to work with LGBT people may also play a role in why we see such limited capacity of clinicians who provide psychological care to these clients, beyond clinics specialising in LGBT issues.
It is obvious that changes need to occur on a macro level (policies and society opinion) and micro level (individuals and their actions that show allyship to the community).
But particularly from the perspective of psychological services, micro-level changes are crucial to improve the confidence they will receive adequate support.
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