Communicated Content- Mental health is a crucial component of optimum health. Without strong mental health, your quality of life can never reach its peak. Unfortunately, many Americans struggle with mental health concerns; in fact, nearly one in five American adults experience a mental illness of some kind in their lifetime. What is even more concerning is that these mental health issues are even more prominent in members of the LGBTQ community.
In this post, we break down some of the most pressing mental issues plaguing the LGTBQ community and how you can properly look after your own mental health in the face of these challenges.
Mental Health Concerns in the LGBTQ Community
While mental health issues affect people across various races, genders, and sexual orientations, members of the LGBTQ community are at a higher risk of certain conditions. Specifically, LGBTQ individuals have a higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. One study revealed that 61% of the surveyed LGBTQ people had suffered from depression, 45% had PTSD, and 36% had some type of anxiety disorder.
Additionally, suicide and attempted suicide rates are much higher in the LGBTQ community, specifically the transgender community. According to the Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, approximately 40% of transgender individuals have attempted to commit suicide in their lifetime. This is more than nine times the national average in the United States.
There is no single reason or cause for these disparities in mental health between communities. However, it has been speculated that the stigma, discrimination, and prejudice that LGTBQ people often face can exacerbate feelings of stress, isolation, and depression. As a result, their mental wellness significantly deteriorates.
Similarly, many members of the LGBTQ community are reluctant to seek the proper mental health care to ameliorate their mental wellness. A Rainbow Health surveyed discovered that roughly 10% of respondents postponed seeking care or never sought it at all due to past experiences of disrespect or discrimination from healthcare providers. The rates were even higher in the transgender community, with 23% of respondents not visiting a doctor for fear of abuse or mistreatment.
How to Care for Your Mental Health
There are several steps you can take to care for your overall health and your mental wellness. Firstly, practicing self-care is an excellent start. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and take the time to do things you love.
You should also prioritize socialization to maintain your mental well-being. Keep a circle of close friends who you can be open with and who you can rely on. Knowing you have a support network behind you can do wonders for your mental health because you know there are people there who care about your wellness. You can also talk to them about any issues you may have and they can help you work through them.
There are also plenty of online resources you can use to achieve better mental health. There are online counseling services, such as Headspace and Talkspace, through which you can access licensed counselors to discuss your issues. You can also check out health blogs, such as Felix Health Blog, to find more resources on mental well-being.
As a member of the LGBTQ community, it’s incredibly important to inform yourself of the mental health risks you could encounter. It’s also vital to know how to care for your mental health, so you can reach the highest quality of life possible.
