Being LGBTQ+ is definitely not a mental illness, but many folks in the community can experience negative impacts on their mental health. According to research, LGBTQ+ people have higher challenges regarding mental health than the rest of the population. They can cope with conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and others in response to discrimination and societal prejudice.
However, not all LGBTQ+ have the same shared experiences, and everyone responds to these factors differently. Especially since every sexual orientation or identity is unique. For instance, what a transgender person experiences will be different from a cisgender person, or gay people will have different experiences than bisexual or pansexual folks.
The transgender and bisexual communities have the highest adverse mental health outcomes, especially the youngest members.
Many LGBTQ+ individuals are at risk for feelings of fear, discrimination, and traumatic occurrences. A large percentage of these folks are resilient and have found ways to prevail when facing adversity. Supportive relationships and communities can contribute to better mental health outcomes. It was even discovered that LGBTQ+ people seek out mental health services 2.5 times higher than heterosexual people. Every member of the LGBTQ+ has a unique and complex experience that can impact their mental health and areas of their lives, especially for groups like BIPOC, POC, folks with disabilities, and people with a lower socioeconomic status.
Since there are so many stereotypes regarding LGBTQ+ people, many people may not be comfortable sharing their authentic selves with the people in their lives. If they do eventually express their identity, they could face rejection and feel further isolated.
Our LGBTQ and ALL community feels strongly about uplifting the community. That’s why we have come up with strategies and tools to create a supportive network. We value our members and believe our platform will benefit everyone’s mental health.