Blog
April 19, 2022

Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community

Mental Health in the LGBTQ Community

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, and philosopher

The Relationship Between the LGBTQ Community and Poor Mental Health

Dealing with everything from discrimination to violence, members of the LGBTQ+ community tend to experience higher rates of suicide than the general population.

As stated by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, LGBTQ+ youth are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal and are over four times as likely to physically attempt suicide.

Stigma has shown to drive higher rates of mental health issues in LGBTQ+ communities. Among adults suffering from mental illness, 13 percent of those in the LGBTQ+ experience symptoms that substantially interfere with everyday life, compared to just 4 percent of the heterosexual individuals living with mental illness.

A 2014 study showed how detrimental this stigma can be, as LGBTQ+ individuals living in prejudice communities actually have a shorter life expectancy of 12 years on average, compared to peers in low-stigma communities.

Seeking Mental Health Support Is Both Brave and Life-Changing

Whether you suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or any other mental health condition that currently impacts your quality of life, it is critical that you seek support.

Regardless of your current mental health, it has been reported that chronic stress deteriorates the hippocampus — the area of the brain that regulates learning, emotion, motivation, and memory.

When you seek mental health treatment and support, you can benefit in the following ways:

  • You can experience a significant reduction in anxiety while improving your mood and risk of depression
  • Improve relationships — not just with others, but also yourself
  • Experience clearer thinking and increased self-esteem
  • Develop practical coping skills that lead to life-altering changes and perspectives
  • Better sleep, supporting positive mental and physical health

How to Begin Your Journey Towards Positive Mental Health

Being someone in the LGBTQ+ community, you currently face a double stigma. However, the more we speak about these stigmas and seek help, the more rapidly these stigmas will be lifted.

Each brave individual is part of something much greater, which is why you should seek support for yourself, as well as those living in a similar situation as you.

Depending on your circumstances, you may wish to seek individual and/or group counseling, complementary therapies (i.e. yoga and meditation), cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, nutrition therapy, etc.

When seeking therapy, be sure to find a certified, trained therapist or psychologist. If you are specifically within the New York City SoHo or Grand Central Area, contact Thriving Mind Psychology to discuss the wide array of services offered.

There are also a number of incredible resources available online, including but not limited to:

You Might Also Enjoy...
DBT
Blog

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy developed to help people struggling with intense and overwhelming emotions and relationship difficulties.

Read More
iStock 1829889058
Blog

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of talking therapy that encourages individuals to embrace and accept their thoughts and feelings instead of battling against them. ACT doesn’t eliminate the problem but equips a person with the tools to manage the problem and live a more fulfilling life.

Read More
iStock 2080501256
Blog

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. Through a structured process and techniques, CBT helps individuals with a range of conditions, from anxiety to self-esteem and anger management.

Read More
iStock 1581619746
Blog

The Different Types of Therapy (Explained)

If you’re thinking about starting therapy, you will have encountered different types, approaches, and modalities. Therapy is a deeply personal journey, it can help to address mental health challenges, enhance coping skills, and improve well-being.

Read More