Among the LGBTQ+ community, not only is there a struggle for finding a sense of identity, but in finding acceptance. In relation to these difficulties and the discrimination that accompanies them, LGBTQ+ individuals are linked with higher chances of suffering from psychological disparities. Studies have shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals are twice as likely to admit to suicidal ideation (King et al., 2008; Gilman et al., 2001), while also possessing higher rates of attempted suicide when compared to those who identify as heterosexual/cisgender (5-32% vs 2%) (Clements-Nolle, Marx & Katz, 2006; King et al., 2008; Paul et al., 2002; Silenzio, Pena, Duberstein, Cereal & Knox, 2007) (21). Individuals in the LGBTQ+ community also exhibit higher risk of anxiety, mood, and substance abuse disorders than those who are heterosexual (Cochran, Keenan, Shober & Mays, 2000; Cochran, Sullivan, & Mays, 2003) (21). This particular study even reported that 59% of the transgender individuals in one sample reported having clinically significant depression (Clements-Nolle et al., 2001) (21).
Daily stressors can include, but are not limited to, prejudicial events (a.k.a heterosexism), confusion on identity, expectations of rejection from society, and fear of rejection and abandonment from family. Those who find themselves in situations of rejection from family members are eight-times more likely to attempt suicide than those who aren't rejected (Ryan et al., 2009) (21). There is an even greater risk in those who hold intersectional identities within sexual/gender minority (Cochran & Mays, 1994; Diaz et al., 2001; Wilson & Yoshikawa, 2004) (21).
Another study that included a structured diagnosis interview, as well as a Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI 18), where 246 LGBT youths aged 16 to 20 years participated in, concluded that "one-third of participants met criteria for any mental disorder, 17% for conduct disorder, 15% for major depression, and 9% for PTSD" (22). It was also shown that 31% of the participants had frequent suicide attempts occur over a span of a lifetime (22).
The LGBTQ+ community faces discrimination by quite a few groups of people, including: family, coworkers, workplace managers, strangers, and even in the mental health care system (Hash & Rogers, 2013) (23). Many individuals are exposed to "brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership" (Sue, 2010, p. 24) (22). This can lead to higher rates of psychological disorders than heterosexuals, which stem from stress and decreased self-acceptance (22).
***Warning: Sensitive Content***
It has become apparent, as research shows, that there is a mental health crisis among the LGBTQ+ community. One review of the literature was conducted asking for an answer to the following: What factors and strategies need to be considered when developing services for individuals from sexual or gender minority groups who are experiencing severe mental illness? The results ended with a total of 27 publications. It has also been indicated by research that there are "generally lower levels of service satisfaction among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual individuals and minimal evidence regarding specific interventions" within the mental health service realm (24).
While there is an attempt to increase the attention towards diversity in psychiatric services and ending stigmas against individuals due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, there is still a great ways to go. After various research studies, mental health providers have concluded that more research is necessary regarding interventions for the LGBTQ+ community who suffer from mental disparities, as well as how to lessen the rate of mental illnesses and suicidal ideation in response to discrimination. Certain areas remain underdeveloped, but there are widespread efforts to conduct more research, design better strategies for practice, and implement new policies in favor of the LGBTQ+ community and mental health.
This is another conflict that doesn't hold a simple solution, however, if we keep an open-mind, take time to educate ourselves, teach our future children love and kindness, and practice acceptance, we will see a change.
“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.” – Zanele Muholi (25)
References:
(21)
Sutter, M., & Perrin, P. B. (2016). Discrimination, Mental Health, and Suicidal Ideation
Among LGBTQ People of Color. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(1), 98–105.
https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1037/cou0000126
(22)
Mustanski, B. S., Garofalo, R., & Emerson, E. M. (2010). Mental health disorders,
psychological distress, and suicidality in a diverse sample of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youths. American Journal of Public Health, 100(12),
2426-2432. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.2105/AJPH.2009.178319
(23)
Holley, L. C., Mendoza, N. S., Del-Colle, M. M., & Bernard, M. L. (2016). Heterosexism, racism,
and mental illness discrimination: Experiences of people with mental health
conditions and their families. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services: The
Quarterly Journal of Community & Clinical Practice, 28(2), 93–116. https://doi-
org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1080/10538720.2016.1155520
(24)
Kidd, S. A., Howison, M., Pilling, M., Ross, L. E., & McKenzie, K. (2016). Severe mental illness
in LGBT populations: A scoping review. Psychiatric Services, 67(7), 779–783.
https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1176/appi.ps.201500209
(25)
20 Powerful LGBT Quotes that made history. (n.d.). Retrieved from Human Rights
Careers: https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/lgbt-quotes/
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