Often, mental health is overlooked when it comes to being healthy. We rely on good mental health for much of what we do on a daily basis. It can be difficult to get things done when you have a bad mental health day. Mental health problems can result in simple things like not running errands or more serious ones, like not showing up for work.

Like everyone else, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) community faces these challenges. In addition, they may face even more challenges when it comes to taking care of their mental health. Prejudices of today usually contribute to this.

People who identify as LGBTQ are more likely to suffer from mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Many people are afraid to seek treatment for mental illnesses because of the stigma attached to them.

Having to cope with people’s opinions of you while being yourself is difficult enough for young people. Those who identify as LGBTQ may find this phase of life particularly stressful or challenging. They face specific challenges when it comes to mental health. LGBTQ students may be at risk for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and suicide due to discrimination and pressure from their families and communities.

In high school and college, LGBTQ students often face ridicule, bullying, and sexual harassment. The negative effects of anti-LGBTQ bigotry, abuse, and hatred can have a devastating effect on one’s mental and physical health. When LGBTQ survivors are victimized, they can lose their sense of safety, protection, and confidence.

It is rare for LGBTQ youth to grow up in communities that share a common identity. Due to this, many LGBTQ children suffer mistreatment and alienation from their families. Depression and loneliness are often exacerbated by a lack of support for LGBTQ students. Lack of encouragement and stress in the family will make obtaining a college diploma more challenging.

There is a higher rate of mental health issues among LGBTQ people. In a recent study, 61% of participants had depression, 45% had post-traumatic stress disorder, and 36% had anxiety.

Additionally, 40 percent of transgender individuals have attempted suicide at some point in their lives. In the United States, this rate is nearly nine times higher than the overall rate.

There is no single explanation for why these disparities exist. However, stigma and trauma certainly contribute to the problem. There are many barriers LGBTQ individuals face when it comes to getting good mental health care. According to a recent survey, 10% postponed or did not receive care because health care providers treated them disrespectfully or discriminatorily. According to the US Transgender Survey, 23% of transgender people don’t see a doctor for fear of mistreatment.

While acceptance of LGBTQ+ people is growing, there is still a long way to go. Traumatic events related to identity or gender presentation have affected many members of these communities.

All aspects of your life can be affected by these experiences, including your relationships, family, work, school, and even your health. Chronic health conditions are twice as likely to affect children with a history of trauma.

Whether a victim is a child or an adult, bullying and harassment have a significant impact on their daily lives. It is also possible to encounter discrimination in the workplace or in other settings that do not provide equal protection based on gender and sexuality.

Invictus4Core manages mental crisis cases. It is Invictus4Core’s mission to create a judgment-free and compassionate environment for LGBTQ patients and patients from all walks of life. Book an appointment online with us today for compassionate, individualized, and hands-on mental health care to help patients reach their goals. We serve patients from Lexington KY, Georgetown KY, Picadome KY, Keene KY, Nicholasville KY, Brannon Woods KY, and surrounding areas.