Understanding the Unique Mental Health Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ+ Community

Members of the LGBTQ+ community have a unique set of mental health challenges that they face on a daily basis. This diverse set of individuals has a much higher likelihood of suffering from mental health issues than the heterosexual population due to a wide variety of factors, most of which are out of their control.

These mental health challenges are not due to their sexual identity, but rather the way modern society views and discriminates against them. The daily discrimination and social stigma that these individuals face make it not only more likely that these people will develop mental health conditions but also make them far less likely to ever seek treatment for them as well. 

In today’s article, we will be taking a deep dive into some of the unique mental health challenges that the LGBTQ+ community is currently dealing with, as well as some of their main root problems. We will be also looking at a few actionable steps that we can all begin taking regardless of our identity to help make mental health more equitable and inclusive for all.

LGBTQ+ and the Mental Health Crisis

Due to a wide variety of factors, members of the LGBTQ+ community are at a much higher risk of almost all major mental health issues than the general population. A study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association reported that individuals identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community were more than twice as likely as their peers to suffer from a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime.

Understanding “Minority Stress”

One of the most common and widely accepted root causes for this disparity for this increased likelihood is a phenomenon known as minority stress. Minority stress refers to the different sets of stressors that minority groups face on a daily basis as they navigate through life.

How Minority Stress Affects the LGBTQ+ Community

Only 7% of the total United States population identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in some capacity, making them an intense sexual minority within the country. While not as commonly used term as ethnic or racial minority, sexual minority functions in the exact same way, referring to those that are marginalized due to things they can not control about themselves.

This minority status brings a host of unique stressors and obstacles. One of the main examples of this is the constant, recurring stress that comes from simply speaking about their partners and romantic lives. For example, when a heterosexual man talks about his wife, his primary focus is on whether or not people will like and accept her as a person, not whether or not their relationship will be accepted as a whole or that they will be actively discriminated against.

The same can not be said for LGBTQ+ couples. They have all the same fears and anxieties as heterosexual couples, plus the added worry and physical fear of the negativity and even violence that may come simply because of who they are and love. This extends across many aspects of their daily lives, compounding to create an environment in which they are much more likely to end up suffering from severe mental health issues.

Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community’s Mental Health

Showing consistent and active support of the LGBTQ+ community and their mental health is one of the best things that we can do as a collective to help improve their outlook and outcomes moving forward. This work is crucial toward destigmatizing their community and increasing the likelihood and availability of much needed mental health care services.

Being an effective and supportive ally goes beyond simple, passive support of the LGBTQ+ community. It involves going that extra step and becoming an active advocate for them and their needs, using your voice (and privilege, by extension) to fight for the rights of the marginalized.

Quality Mental Health Care for LGBTQ Youth

One of the trickiest (yet most important) aspects of understanding the unique mental health challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community is the constant, ongoing challenge to find high quality, affordable, and discrete mental health care services. This becomes even trickier when dealing with young people, many of whom are legal and/or minors and possibly have yet to come out to their friends and families.

While far from a perfect solution, the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving young LGBTQ lives, has put together a free eBook titled “Breaking Barriers to Mental Health Care for LGBTQ Youth” designed to help make finding affordable and culturally appropriate mental health care services affordable for all.

SoberMind Recovery Is Here to Help

SoberMind Recovery is a Los Angeles recovery center that offers a wide range of specialized treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation programs, ranging from LGBTQ sober living to dual diagnosis treatment. They also provide individual, group, and cognitive behavioral therapy options.

Our mission here at SoberMind is to provide individualized, research-backed care in a compassionate and high-quality environment while making a difference in the world of addiction. We help people achieve long-lasting recovery and lead well-balanced lives.

Residents of the Los Angeles area are encouraged to call today 100% free of charge at 818-835-9268 or 819-398-8047 to see if our compassionate, evidence-based treatment options are a good fit for you and your recovery needs.