Studies Examine Mental Health Challenges For LGBTQ Youth

 

Studies Examine Mental Health Challenges For LGBTQ Youth

 

 

According to the World Health Organization, mental health is defined as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” 

 

Several aspects of our lives are affected by our mental health: how we handle stress, relate to one another, make decisions, and how individuals view themselves, their lives, and others. However, there is a mental health stigma that operates in our society which creates barriers to recognizing risk factors, seeking help, and engaging in treatment. Mental health is especially significant in the lives of children, teens, and young adults as social, behavioral, and emotional development is maturing (World Health Organization). 

 

Anyone who’s been through middle and high school knows that it is a tumultuous time. Everyone goes through the difficulties of fitting in or feeling insecure. Because of this, some people may be hesitant to accept that LGBTQ youth experience several added challenges. They may disagree and say that LGBTQ people are not more likely than other youth to have mental health issues. However, this inaccurate statement is refuted by the copious research by Mental Health America which found that “LGBTQ+ teens are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than non-LGBTQ+ identifying teens.” 

 

More specifically, LGBTQ youth experience greater risk for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety disorders. Young members of the LGBTQ community “are more than twice as likely to report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness than their heterosexual peers.” (NAMI)

Also, several LGBTQ people experience prejudice, denial of human and civil rights, harassment, and family rejection which can lead to new or worsened mental health symptoms. Due to socioeconomic and cultural circumstances as well as stigmas around mental health and the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ youths are faced with additional challenges which make them a high-risk population for mental health disorders. 

 

For these reasons, it is essential to the well-being of LGBTQ youth to create a supportive environment, spread mental health awareness and provide access to adequate treatment services in order to eliminate the harmful stigmas and discrimination which disproportionately affect LGBTQ youth. 

 

Adolescence is an important time for developing and maintaining social and emotional habits including learning to manage emotions, problem-solving, and interpersonal and coping skills (World Health Organization). Supportive family and academic environments are crucial to such developments. However, coming out to friends and family can be a very difficult and even traumatic experience for many members of the LGBTQ community. Rejection from family, close friends, or within a faith community or workplace can be difficult to cope with especially when it is something as personal as sexual or gender identity. 

According to a 2013 survey done by Pew Research Center, 40% of LGBT individuals have experienced nonacceptance from a close friend or family member. Negative responses to coming out from friends and family would obviously have a drastic impact on LGBTQ youth who depend on their loved ones and community to provide a safe and accepting environment. However, when those emotional needs are not met, research suggests that such individuals are at a much higher risk for developing mental health problems. 

 

Factors like rejection and many others contribute to the fact that “LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.” (American Psychiatric Association) Because of this, acceptance and tolerance within a family or community could mean a world of difference to a young LGBTQ person who is struggling. 

 

As someone with a close friend who went through the struggle of coming out to his parents, I know the dramatic impact of a family’s reaction. His anticipation and anxiety about their response impacted his mental and emotional state dramatically. 

 

Unfortunately, rejection is not the only harmful aspect the LGBTQ youth experience. In society transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia perpetrate bullying, violence and direct shame towards the LGBTQ community. Additionally, LGBTQ individuals face several forms of discrimination such as stereotyping, denial of opportunities, labeling, and physical, verbal, and mental abuse (NAMI). 

 

One nationally representative survey by the Pew Research Center found that “30% say they have been physically attacked or threatened; 29%; say they have been made to feel unwelcome in a place of worship… About six in-ten (58%) say they’ve been the target of slurs or jokes.” 

 

This unfair treatment, bullying, and harassment can have a profound effect on the mental state of LGBTQ youth. This is seen clearly in the rate of suicide attempts for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth which is four times greater than that of their heterosexual counterparts. (American Psychiatric Association). To combat these alarming statistics, it is imperative that awareness is spread about the everyday challenges LGBTQ youth face which contribute to mental health issues. 

 

 Further consequences of mental health problems present in LGBTQ youth include a 120% higher risk of experiencing homelessness and significantly higher illicit drug use (NAMI). The very real and very dangerous results of mental health complications in young members of the LGBTQ community is a serious problem that should be treated as one.

 

Despite the vital importance of mental health awareness the World Health Organization estimates that “10-20% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions, yet these remain underdiagnosed and undertreated.” Mental health and its treatment are often neglected and therefore can have detrimental consequences for the LGBTQ youth who are so disproportionality affected. Left untreated, mental disorders can have a disastrous impact on all aspects of health. Because of this, adolescent years are a critical time in which mental health should be promoted and addressed, especially in high-risk populations. (Kutcher)

 

The struggles that LGBTQ youth endure are difficult and arduous. As a society we need to be more vigilant in prioritizing the needs of the members of this susceptible community. Talking more openly about the importance of mental health and providing readily available access to information and helpful resources could aid in dissolving damaging mental health stigmas. Spreading awareness about the magnitude by which LGBTQ youth are impacted by mental health problems would stimulate important conversations about why this disparity exists and how it can be minimized. 

 

It is crucial that such efforts are applied in order for LGBTQ youth to feel valid, seen, and supported. We must go out of our way to make sure the LGBTQ youths in our lives feel accepted and have access to help they may need because it could quite literally save lives.