Mental Health Challenges for the LGBTQIA Community

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), members of the LGBTQIA community are twice as likely to experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. Moreover, they are also less likely to receive effective and compassionate care. The following are mental health conditions common to the LGBTQIA community. The following information was taken from healthpartners.com.

1. Anxiety Disorders. While anxiety is the most common mental health condition, affecting 1 out of 5 adults, it is even more common in the in the LGBTQIA community. The Rainbow Health survey found that two-thirds of Minnesotan adults who identify as LGBTQIA feel anxious at least weekly. For BIPOC adults who identify as LGBTQIA, this number is even higher – 90% feel anxious on a weekly basis.

   Among youth who identify as LGBTQIA, 73% experience symptoms of anxiety, according to the Trevor Project survey.

2. Depressive Disorders. One in twenty Americans experience depression in a given year. These numbers are markedly increased in the LGBTQIA community. According to the Rainbow Health survey, about 75% of Minnesotan adults who identify as LGBTQIA feel depressed one or more times per week, and about 20% feel depressed 5-7 days each week. Fifty-eight percent of LGBTQIA youth report experiencing symptoms of depression, according to the Trevor Project survey.

3. Suicidal Ideation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked suicide among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10-64 and the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-14. There’s a strong connection between mental health and suicide – it’s estimated that about 90% of those who commit suicide had at least one mental disorder. Identifying as LGBTQIA makes it much more likely that someone will consider, plan or attempt suicide. LGBTQIA youth are about four times more likely to try suicide than their heterosexual peers. The Trevor Project survey found that 45% of LGBTQIA youth seriously considered suicide in the last year and 14% tried. Lesbian, gay and bisexual adults are also more likely to consider, plan or try suicide than the general population. According to a 2021 research article, suicidal behaviors among lesbian, gay and bisexual adults of all ages, races and ethnicities were 3-6 times greater than those among their heterosexual peers.

4. Substance Use Disorders. About 15% of the general population has a SUD, according to 2020 reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The rate of SUD in the LGBTQIA community is even higher. SAMHSA reports that 34% of adults who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual have substance use disorders. Also, it’s estimated that between 20-30% of people who identify as transgender may have a SUD, but research is ongoing.

   Substance misuse is strongly connected to mental health concerns – among LGBTQIA adults with a substance use disorder, 70% also have a mental health concern, according to the SAMHSA reports.

5. Eating Disorders. About 9% of the U.S. population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime, according to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders). But those in the LGBTQIA community are much more likely to have eating disorders than the general population – this is especially true for boys, men and people who identify as transgender or gender nonconforming.

   • Boys who identify as gay or bisexual are more likely to engage in food restrictive behaviors, self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse and diet pill use in order to control their weight, compared to their heterosexual peers.

   • Gay adult men are seven times more likely to report binging and 12 times more likely to report purging than heterosexual adult men.

   • Transgender college students are about four times more likely to have an eating disorder than their peers. People who are genderqueer and/or gender nonconforming are most likely to be affected.

6. Trauma. PTSD arises as a result of traumatizing experiences that someone hasn’t adequately processed. Members of the LGBTQIA community are particularly susceptible to PTSD.

   Trauma can arise from a number of upsetting factors, including but not limited to:

   • People not being supportive of coming out

   • Abuse at the hands of family members or partners

   • Verbal harassment, bullying, and discrimination

   • Learning about bad things happening to peers, friends, or partners

   • Conversion therapy

Recap of Topic: Mental health challenges for LGBTQIA

Ample evidence suggests to substantiate the increase prevalence of mental health conditions in the LGBTQIA community. The reasons for this are varied and are likely attributed to hate crimes, discrimination, and minority stress. Research has shown that anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, trauma and suicidal ideation are more prevalent in this community.

Supportive Actions for Loved Ones who Identify as LGBTQIA

While the LGBTQIA community experiences mental health conditions at a higher rate, there are numerous supportive actions a parent or loved on can take to reduce isolation and shame. It is important to note, that none of the below suggestions require you to endorse your loved one’s choice and instead focus on mutual respect for another human being.

1. Respect boundaries. This is a helpful tip for all relationships. Previous newsletters discussed what boundaries are and are not. For a quick recap, a boundary is a statement of what you can/will or cannot/ will not do. If your loved one asks that you respect their decision to look for a gay affirming church, as an example, please respect this as a boundary for their well-being and need for community. If you are uncertain what your loved one’s boundaries are, ask them for clarification.

2. Ask how to introduce them and share their story. Some LGBTQIA individuals do not want you to share their story. An example of this would be, “This is my daughter Sarah and her wife Pam.” For some individuals, this may feel like a boundary violation because you are sharing their story with someone whom they do not know and they have not chosen to share this information with. Other LGBTQIA individuals may feel offended if you do not introduce them and their partner. Again, if in doubt, ask.

3. Pronouns and preferred names. This subject is so, so, so hard. Often times, you will see in the LGBTQIA literature that you should respect and adopt an LGBTQIA’s pronouns and name preference. This is likely the healthiest solution in the long run for both the relationship and the LGBTQIA individual. In the short-term, this can be a soul-crushing, heart-wrenching endeavor for a family member as they struggle to grieve and adjust to the LGBTQIA individual’s new identity. I would like to say that there is a perfect solution here, but there is not. I have seen family members avoid the use of a name altogether to avoid disrespect and offense. I have seen family members adopt a term of endearment to allow for additional time to grieve. This is when effective communication and mutual respect are essential for maintaining the relationship and understanding the needs of the other person.

4. Respect their friends. Note that I said respect. This does not mean accept bad behavior or sit by passively when you notice red flags. This just means treat their peers as you would the barista a Starbucks. Smile, be polite, express an interest in their day and remember that they can spit in your drink.

5. Educate yourself. If you are not a member of the LGBTQIA community, learn more about it. Learn about the resources available in your community and struggles your loved one may face. Learn about how to advocate for your loved. Some of my preferred resources for education are the Trevor Project, the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Human Rights Campaign. 

6. Know your limitations and bias. We all have values and beliefs regarding the LGBTQIA community. I’m asking that you be aware of your own. In doing so, you can plan accordingly and provide thoughtful responses to questions like, “Can you walk me down the aisle?” or “Can you care for me after surgery?” Be honest about where you are in association to your loved one’s journey and what you can and cannot provide.

Recap of Topic: Supportive actions

There are many ways to show support for the LGBTQIA community. Some allies feel comfortable hanging rainbow flags, marching in parades and volunteering for crisis hotlines. Other allies may choose less public acts of support that are pertinent to their loved one. However you show support, it’s important that your actions be consistent with your moral matrix. Simply put, be authentic. Respecting boundaries, asking how to share their story, respecting their pronouns, respecting their friends, educating yourself and knowing your limitations are all helpful ways to get started.

Local and National Resources for the LGBTQIA Community

There are numerous resources available for the LGBTQIA community on both the local and national level. For a comprehensive resource guide of national resources, see the GLAAD website. Below you will find a list of supportive and affirming organizations in and around the Orlando, Florida area who offer services to LGBTQIA individuals and their families.

1. Zebra Coalition. Zebra Youth is an organization that provides services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24. Zebra assists young people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual, and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability.

2. The Center. The mission of LGBT+ Center Orlando is to promote and empower the LGBT community and its allies through advocacy, education, information, and support. The Center offers counseling, a food pantry, HIV/STI testing, mobile services, support groups, and programs like OWL, designed specifically to serve Central Florida’s LGBT+ 55 and older community.

3. Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida offers gender-affirming hormone therapy to adults 18+. We see gender-affirming care as an important service that really goes to the core of our mission.

4. Spektrum Health. SPEKTRUM Health’s mission is to provide top quality comprehensive primary healthcare options for LGBTQA+ individuals. We empower individuals to achieve their peak mental and physical health goals. We will engage with community organizations for meaningful and trusting relationship endeavors that will meet the needs of the LGBTQA+ community. We are completely non-profit and operate by way of grants and private donations.

5. Orlando Youth Alliance. The Orlando Youth Alliance has offered a weekly peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQ youth in Central Florida since 1990.  Today, four groups are offered: Orlando, Lakeland, Kissimmee and Longwood. Monthly social, educational and recreational activities occur to further help our youth to develop a core group of friends and peer supporters.  In addition to the support group and activities, OYA provides LGBT History & Cultural classes, scholarships, career exploration and mental health referrals. Numerous professionals have spoken to our youth about their careers and the options that await them. 

6. The Orlando Gay Chorus. The Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) is one of the largest mixed LGBTQ+ choruses in the country. Founded on Valentine’s Day in 1990, OGC has been a fixture in the Central Florida area for over 30 years. In addition to the full chorus, OGC has four small ensembles that perform at the annual concerts and cabarets, as well as at community and private events.

7. Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association. It is the objective of CFGALLA to establish and maintain an integrated group to support, assist, and encourage gay and lesbian attorneys, legal professionals, and law students, and provide support and resources to the community at large on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered issues.

8. PFLAG of Greater Orlando. PFLAG Greater Orlando is a group of parents, families, friends, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

   We work to help change attitudes and create an environment of understanding so that our LGBTQ+ family members and friends can live in a world that is safe and inclusive. 

9. The Pride Chamber. We are the LGBT Chamber of Commerce dedicated to the business equality movement in the Greater Orlando area and beyond. The Pride Chamber's strategic focus is to serve as a resource to small businesses and large corporations, and bridge the gap between them. We welcome you to get engaged in our mission to strengthen equality in Greater Orlando's business community.

Recap of Topic: Local and national resources

Knowing and accessing resources as a member of a marginalized community is often times necessary for mental and emotional well-being. I have personally interacted with and vetted many of the above organizations. 211 is another resource that can be used to receive a list of LGBTQIA resources in your area.

^{Recommended Product of the Week}

This week’s recommended product(s) is Straight Parents, Gay Children: Keeping Families Together. This book is recommended on PFLAG reading list. The author, Robert Bernstein's, provides a moving account of how he came to terms with his daughter's homosexuality and how the experience has enriched his life. Bernstein discusses the myths surrounding homosexuality, accepting the news, parents who speak out, public figures who have gay children, and more. Straight Parents, Gay Children is a survival guide for all parents who wish to help their gay children cope with the inevitable cruelty from which they cannot hide.