Imagine finding out at a tender age that you are different? Imagine that your friends and family hurl insults defining how different you are? Imagine the pain of being together with someone who is also different but doesn't know how to connect with him or her? For most of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people, this is the reality of their childhood. The effect of this experience and discrimination is profound on their mental health.
Research shows that LGBT people have a higher rate of mental health issues in comparison to the general population. The number of LGBTQ people struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-acceptance because of ongoing discrimination. A study shows that almost 61% of LGBTQ youth suffer from depression, 36% have an anxiety disorder, and 45% have PTSD. It is not all, 40% of transgender youth attempted suicide, which is almost nine times more than the overall rate in the US. These numbers show the struggle and agony these people go through right from their childhood.
A study also shows that LGBTQ youth are more likely to be the victims of these behaviors and experience bullying, victimization, abuse, and mistreatment in comparison to heterosexual adolescents. The increased risk of mental health can be explained because of lower satisfaction with family relationships, the problem with family acceptance, and frequent bullying.
There is no one answer for why there is a disparity? But trauma and stigma positively contribute. Also coupled with the fact that there are still fewer resources to support LGBTQ people or to recognize the interconnected nature of sexual or gender identity and mental health, the silence around the mental health leave many LGBTQ youth struggles in isolation.
Responding to mental health challenges is critical for better health, and it can be done with the help of a trustworthy and sympathetic therapist. It is necessary for the mental health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ youth. Promoting emotional wellness is an essential part of the treatment. It is best to look for psychologists who understand the struggle of the LGBTQ community and has expertise in supporting and promoting health and wellness in LGBTQ framework. The experts' approach utilizes the social justice lens and incorporates trauma-informed mental health care. They will help you understand and address your problem and work towards correcting it with newfound confidence.
Whether the LGBTQ youth is dealing with low self–esteem or depression or anxiety, the expert help them overcome it by investing in you personally and exploring the destructive behavior and thought patterns that give rise to the problems in your life and assist in developing long-lasting strategies to overcome the specific issues. The therapists believe that happiness is for everyone, and through therapy, they can help the youth learn the fundamental approach to address the challenges they face effectively. The expert will help you to explore the role of gender or the part that sexual identity plays in your mental health.