The mental health crisis in the LGBTQIA+ community

What would you do if someone told you that if you wanted to be yourself, you would have to give up your home, career and family connections? I’m sure most of us would be fuming with aggression, screaming and spitting with rage. No matter who you are, we all want to live our lives happily while remaining true to ourselves. Striving for mental wellness is full of ups and downs, and we all face different fights.

Individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community experience unique barriers when navigating the road less traveled to mental wellness. The discrimination and lack of inclusivity in our heteronormative world leads to disproportionate rates of mental illness in the LGBTQIA+ community. So it’s important to note that being LGBTQIA+ is not a mental illness. But frequent exposure to rejection and discrimination leads to emotional distress, which over time festers into mental illness.

Research done in the past decade is encouraging when considering the progress in bringing awareness to the realities of these disparities. As a society, we must unite to create an uplifting environment where discrimination against sexual and gender minorities no longer exists. To end this mental health crisis, members of the LGBTQIA+ community must find acceptance in our society when expressing their diverse identities.

Nowadays, finding support from friends within the LGBTQIA+ community is more common, and having reliable relationships contributes to mental wellness.

Unfortunately, many LGBTQIA+ folks still experience rejection from friends, peers and even the family members they depend on the most. It is essential to make inclusive education available for families and parents to give LGBTQIA+ youth a head start toward mental wellness.

The Family Acceptance Project, created by Caitlin Ryan, Ph.D., ACSW, is a phenomenal resource for educating families on accepting their LGBTQ children.

The reality of mental illness in the LGBTQ+ community is heavy; many individuals struggle with depression, anxiety, addictions, homelessness, PTSD or suicide. Statistically, 30-60 percent of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people experience anxiety and depression at some point in their lives, which is 1.5-2.5 times higher than among heterosexual or cisgender individuals (Brad Brenner, PhD, “Understanding Anxiety and Depression for LGBTQ People,“ Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA).

Terrifyingly, LGBTQ+ youth are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ+ youth, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

And shelters are not always safe for LGBTQ+ people, which can make people hesitant to stay there. The mental illnesses people may already be experiencing are only exacerbated without secure housing.

Dallas Hope Charities is a local non-profit organization working to improve conditions in our society for the LGBTQIA+ community. They provide aid to LGBTQIA+ young adults experiencing homelessness and offer a workshop series called Hopeful Discussions geared toward reducing homophobia by increasing understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and issues to educate and build a more inclusive community. Taking advantage of these workshops will equip society to challenge harmful communication habits that are taking a horrendous toll on the mental health of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Inclusive speech is an important starting point. Here are some of the basics:

• Never assume you know someone’s background, sexual identity, pronouns, or gender expression. Instead, be mindful of expressing curiosity, ask questions thoughtfully, and learn how to apologize.

• Learn considerate LGBTQIA+ terminology, and encourage others to eliminate harmful labels, stereotypes, and statements that may alienate someone.

• Recognize unintentional bias (otherwise known as treating someone differently based on a stereotype) and work to deconstruct these unconscious associations.

Therapy is often an excellent resource for LGBTQIA+ people who are learning to accept and love themselves despite facing discrimination. Not all therapists are trained to work with LGBTQIA+ people, and some might not properly understand each individual. Room For Change is a team of therapists in the DFW area dedicated to embracing LGBTQIA+ people through their unique healing journeys. Therapists at Room for Change understand these barriers and create space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to experience self-love through therapeutic communication.

Amanda Esquivel LPC-S, lead counselor and owner at Room for Change, says, “Learning how to overcome these challenges while remaining true to yourself is the only way to fully understand how powerful you are.”

Although standards are improving, the lack of inclusivity in our society has significantly degraded the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people. We must understand the weight of our behaviors and take serious consideration to make our environment happier and healthier for the LGBTQIA+ community.
So consider yourself and how your position in life gives you unique opportunities to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. Your power to be uplifting and accepting is much stronger than you think.

Lexie Adams, RN, BSN, graduated with her BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2019 and has worked as a nurse in many different ICUs across the U.S., caring for patients and their families. She began her own business as a nurse writer so that her voice and expertise could be devoted to the betterment of the community’s health and wellness. She hopes to continue to work alongside strong people who share her passion for humanity. She can be reached at nurseinkdfw@gmail.com

This copyrighted paper was published for Dallas Hope Charities, Inc., a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. June 2023. For a complete list of resources used in compiling this article, visit DallasVoice.com.

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Interview with Amanda Esquivel LPC, S from Room For Change on April 20, 2023.