Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Community

We have made progress

In recent years, real strides have been made to increase the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQIA community. Marriage equality, legal protections, and increased media representation have all contributed to a greater level of societal acceptance.

But…

Despite this, however, LGBTQIA people still experience immense mental health challenges:

• LGBTQIA young people are over four times more likely to attempt suicide than the national average. Young trans people are nearly eleven times more likely.
• Members of the LGBTQIA community are twice as likely to experience mental illness as the national average.
• PTSD, substance use, and social isolation are all far more common in LGBTQIA young people than in the wider community.

Help is available

While this seems bleak, the good news is there is hope. None of these conditions is innately related to being LGBTQIA. These conditions come from social discrimination, family pressure, internalised homophobia, and a lack of connections to others. Counselling, psycho-education, and community engagement, can all help not only to manage the symptoms of psychological distress, but also combat the underlying causes.

Don’t suffer alone

Everybody deserves to live a full, happy life out in the open. Our counsellors at Blissful Minds are here to help you. We offer a safe space to discuss your feelings and our expert counsellors can provide treatment strategies for you or your loved ones who are struggling to cope. If you are interested in learning more or booking in with one of our counsellors, please contact us.