LGBTQ+

Anyone can suffer with mental health. Mental illness can affect anyone.

LGBTQ+ individuals, on the other hand, are more likely to face problems such as:

• Depression
• Eating problems
• Low self-esteem
• Self-harm
• Misusing drugs and alcohol
• Suicidal feelings
• Anxiety, including social anxiety

These issues are not caused by being LGBTQ+. This is typically the result of exposure to substances such as:

• Stigma and discrimination
• Difficult experiences of coming out
• Social isolation, rejection, and exclusion 
• Homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia 

It’s vital to remember that accepting your LGBTQ+ identify might help you feel better about yourself. It could assist with:

• Better communication with your family and friends
• Increased self-assurance
• Self-acceptance and self-expression freedom
• Enhanced resiliency
• A sense of belonging and community

We’re utilizing the umbrella word ‘LGBTQ+’. Everyone is diverse and unique. Our identities are made up of many different elements, including:

• Age 
• Religion
• Ethnicity 
• Cultural background
• Physical ability 
• Gender identity and gender expression 
• Socio-economic background
• Sexuality 
• Many other characteristics 

Many more challenges may face you in your life that other LGBTQ+ people do not face or understand. Other types of discrimination, social disadvantage, or social exclusion may also be considered.

This can increase your chances of developing mental health issues and make it more difficult to seek help.

Talking therapy 

It might not feel easy, that being said, getting help with issues you are struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most crucial steps.

Talking to a therapist that specialises in working with LGBTQ+ people can assist with issues like:

• Difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
• Coping with other people’s reaction to your sexuality 
• Transitioning 
• Coping with discrimination or bullying 
• Anger, rejection or isolation from family, friends, or your community 
• Fear of violence 

When should you seek assistance?

You should never have to go through this alone. It is never too late to get help, no matter how large or little your problems appear to be.

You could benefit from talking therapy if you:

• Feel tired or lack energy despite not doing much activity
• Are using alcohol or drugs to help you deal with your feelings
• Feel tearful 
• Isolate yourself from people
• No longer want to do things you usually enjoy 
• Harm yourself or have thoughts about self-harming 
• Think about suicide 

If you are struggling to cope right now, contact Samaritans: 

• Call 116 123 (open every day, 24 hours)
• Email Jo@samaritans.org

At any time, without a doubt, Samaritans provides a safe environment for you to chat about whatever is on your mind.

Where to get help:

Speak to a GP – 

You should consider talking to a GP. They will know which help is available locally to you and can help you decide the best treatment option for you. 

Support organisations – These organisations provide LGBTQ+ people with mental health counselling, support, and services.

Gender intelligence – 

The organisation runs youth groups in London, Bristol, and Leeds for non-binary, trans and questioning young people.

Imaan – 

Imaan is a charity that supports LGBTQ Muslims, providing an online forum where people can share experiences and also ask for help.

Consortium –

This membership organisation provides assistance to LGBTQ+ organisations and projects throughout the United States. Furthermore, the site’s Member Directory can help you find local mental health services.

London friend – 

London Friends provides LGBTQ people in and around London with support groups and services such as counselling and drug and alcohol treatment.

Mind LGBTQ – 

 You can learn about mental health services for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Non-binary, Queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+).

Pink therapy – 

A therapist directory is included in the pink therapy. As well as this, therapists who specialise on LBGTQ+ people and gender and sexual diversity.

What problems might LGBTQ+ individuals face?

Mental health issues – 

Obviously, being LGBTQ+ does not inevitably imply that someone will suffer from mental illness; however, it does put them at a higher risk of developing it.

A recent study by Stonewall found that over the past year in particular: 

• Almost half of transgender people had thought about taking their life, furthermore, one in eight LGBTQ+ people aged 18-24 had already attempted to end their lives 

 If you’ve been the victim of a hate crime, undoubtedly, call 101 in non-emergency situations or 999 in an emergency.

Accessing healthcare – 

For fear of discrimination, one out of every seven LGBTQ+ people has avoided treatment.

You do not have to put up with discrimination from a healthcare provider any longer. You have several options, one of which is to file a legal complaint. Citizens Advice can advise you on what to do next.

school discrimination and bullying

To begin with, more than half of young LGBTQ+ people in Britain’s schools face homophobic, transphobic, or biphobic bullying.

Secondly, verbal, sexual, and physical abuse is more commonly reported in transgender young people compared to cisgendered youth. 

Half of the students who were bullied showed depression symptoms.

Difficulty coming out

Coming out can be exhilarating and powerful for some LGBTQ+ people, but it can also be terribly stressful for others. It could be a mixture of these emotions.

You may turn your feelings of homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia inward if you encounter them. However, this can then lead to negative feelings about your own sexuality or gender-identity. This can be referred to as ‘internalised homophobia or transphobia.’ 

Coming out to at least one supportive person, such as a close friend or even a work colleague, may lessen your feelings of rejection or depression. That can increase your sense of self-esteem and well being, compared to that of someone who chooses not to come out at all. 

 No one should compel you to come out, and you should not feel pushed to do so. Because doing it against your will can make the encounter less fun and frustrating.

In addition, you should never be ashamed of who you are or who you have chosen to be.