Belonging to the gay community does not in and of itself create mental health issues. While our society continues to show increasing acceptance to the gay community, we still have a long way to go. Many within the community still face a number of issues that come with identifying as LGBT. Some common mental health issues can include:

Generalized anxiety

Depression

Substance abuses

Common Mental Health Issues Affecting LGBT people

Coming Out

While coming out appears to be easier today then 20 years ago it is still filled with lots of stress and anxiety. Depending on your social environment it might be more stressful to come out of the closet. Developing a supportive social environment of family, friends and co-works are key in managing your mental health.

One thing that no one tells you when you first come out is that coming out is a lifetime event. You will come out to people in different ways throughout your lifetime. Sometimes is new co-workers, neighbors, friends. This re-coming out can be stressful and something that requires work to become comfortable with.

From becoming comfortable with coming out to developing a supportive social environment. These factors play a role in your mental health. How comfortable you become in your own skin also deeply affects your mental health. From feelings of internalized homophobia to feelings of shame for being a “bottom.” Coming out is more than just telling people your sexual preference its sharing part of your identity.

Discrimination

The gay community has a high percentage of mental health issues because of discrimination. In a study (click here for the link) researchers found that being a member of the gay community put minority stress on you as an individual. Minority stress includes stigma, prejudice, discrimination that create stress environments that cause mental heath problems. Finding a therapist that understanding these factors is important for your own growth. I try to help my clients learn and understand about how stigma, prejudice, and discrimination might play a role in their problems.

Suicide

The LGBT community faces a higher risk of suicide because of the substance abuses, discrimination, and lack of community support. For LGBT people aged 10-24 suicide is one of the leading causes of death. LGBT youth are four times as likely to attempt suicide and engage in self-harming behavior. Someone who faces family rejection after coming out is 8 times more likely to have a suicided attempt.

Substance Abuses

Numbing out is a way we all try to deal with unpleasant emotions. If you are a member of the gay community and are dealing with the struggles of coming out, discrimination and thinking about suicide. Substance use and abuse might be a way to deal with these unpleasant aspects of being gay. About 20% to 30% of gay people abuses a substance (9% for just the general population).

The Numbers

Click here for all the stats and more listed below

More than 1 in 5 LGBT people reported withholding information about their sexual practices from their doctor or another health care professional.

Approximately 8 percent of LGB people and nearly 27 percent of transgender people report being denied needed health care outright.

LGBT Community is 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse.

Evidence suggests that implicit preferences for heterosexual people versus lesbian and gay people are pervasive among heterosexual health care providers. This is why it is so important to find LGBT-friendly health care providers

To learn more about other common mental health issues affecting the LGBT couples click here. And common mental health issues for LGBT families click here.(Links coming in spring 2017)

If you are a member of the LGBT community and are ready to start counseling click here.