MAKE SENSE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS

Mental health is a combination of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. For LGBTQ+ individuals, it plays a crucial role in how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we handle stress, connect with others, and make decisions. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood, and this is especially true for those in the LGBTQ+ community who may face unique challenges.

Throughout your life, if you experience mental health difficulties, your thinking, mood, and behavior may be affected. For LGBTQ+ people, these issues can be compounded by societal stigma, discrimination, and lack of acceptance. Many factors contribute to mental health challenges, including:

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma, abuse, or rejection based on sexual orientation or gender identity
• Family history of mental health problems, which can intersect with struggles for acceptance and understanding

While many believe that mental illness is rare or only “happens to someone else,“ it is in fact common and widespread, affecting individuals from all walks of life, including countless LGBTQ+ people each year. The prevalence of mental illness among LGBTQ+ communities is often higher due to societal pressures and minority stress.

For families, friends, and loved ones of LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing mental health challenges, the process can be emotionally and physically demanding. It can leave them feeling vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others, especially if the family itself is navigating issues of understanding and acceptance.

If you believe you or someone you know in the LGBTQ+ community may be dealing with a mental or emotional health issue, remember that there is hope and help. Culturally competent and affirming support is available, and seeking it can make a meaningful difference in healing and well-being.

A mental illness is a condition that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, making it difficult to cope with everyday tasks and routines. Within the LGBTQ+ community, these challenges can be compounded by stressors such as discrimination, stigma, and lack of acceptance, which may influence one’s overall mental health and sense of well-being.

There are more than 200 identified forms of mental illness. Some of the more common disorders are depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Within LGBTQ+ populations, these conditions may manifest alongside unique stressors, potentially resulting in changes in mood, personality, personal habits, or increased social withdrawal.

Mental health problems can be linked to excessive stress caused by certain situations or a series of events. As with other conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, mental illnesses have physical, emotional, and psychological components. In the LGBTQ+ community, environmental stresses such as discrimination or family rejection, alongside genetic factors and biochemical imbalances, can contribute to mental health challenges. With proper care, culturally competent support, and LGBTQ+-affirming treatment, many individuals can learn to cope, manage symptoms, or recover from a mental illness or emotional disorder.

Not sure if you or someone you know in the LGBTQ+ community is living with mental health challenges? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a potential issue:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Withdrawing from people, supportive communities, and usual activities (including LGBTQ+-affirming spaces)
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters, particularly after facing discrimination or stigma
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless, especially if experiencing rejection or lack of acceptance from family, peers, or society
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends, possibly triggered by stress related to identity-based conflicts
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships, including LGBTQ+ relationships that may lack broader societal support
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others, which can be exacerbated by experiences of discrimination or isolation
• Inability to perform daily tasks, like keeping up with work or school, which may be affected by hostile or unwelcoming environments

It is especially important to pay attention to sudden changes in thoughts and behaviors. Also remember that experiencing multiple symptoms, rather than just one, may indicate a problem that should be assessed. For those in the LGBTQ+ community, recognizing these signs can be a crucial first step in seeking culturally competent, affirming support and care.

Mental health issues are real, common, and treatable. In the LGBTQ+ community, members often face additional stressors such as discrimination, stigma, and the challenge of finding affirming support. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, and among those, 20% are considered serious. Among youth ages 6-17, 17% experience a mental health disorder. The first thing to remember is this: You are not alone, and many LGBTQ+ individuals share your experiences.

If you feel that you are suffering from a mental illness, particularly if these challenges are preventing you from fully embracing your identity, living authentically, or feeling like yourself, seeking professional help can make a tremendous difference. This support can be especially meaningful if you’ve encountered rejection or a lack of understanding from others.

It’s also important to know that you don’t need to be in crisis before seeking help. Early intervention can be especially beneficial, allowing you to work on issues before they have a major impact on your relationships, self-esteem, or sense of safety within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re feeling slightly off or deeply distressed, you deserve to feel encouraged and empowered to seek support at any stage.

Mental health professionals, such as licensed therapists who are experienced in LGBTQ+-affirming care, can help in many ways:

• Help you identify where, when, and how issues arise, including those related to coming out, family acceptance, or community stress
• Develop coping strategies for specific symptoms and concerns, including those triggered by discrimination or minority stress
• Encourage resilience and self-management in a world that may not always be understanding or affirming
• Identify and change negative behaviors that might stem from internalized stigma or shame
• Identify and encourage positive behaviors that reinforce pride in your identity and sense of community
• Heal pain from past trauma, including bullying, harassment, or family rejection
• Figure out goals and waypoints related to self-discovery, transition, or finding supportive community spaces
• Build self-confidence and strengthen your capacity to thrive as an LGBTQ+ individual

Treatment for mental health issues, including psychotherapy (sometimes known as 'talk therapy'), often helps people feel better, manage symptoms, and even eliminate them. For instance, research shows that over 80% of people treated for depression make significant improvements, and treatment for panic disorder has a 90% success rate. These outcomes are often similar for LGBTQ+ individuals when care is affirming and culturally competent.

What is psychotherapy? It involves talking about your problems and concerns with a mental health professional. Treatment can come in many forms, including individual, group, couples, or family sessions—important options for people seeking to address relationship or familial issues in a safe environment. Sessions may be weekly at first and can decrease in frequency as you improve. Treatment length varies, from a few weeks to several years, depending on your particular situation and response.

Never think that getting help is a sign of weakness. It isn’t. In fact, for LGBTQ+ individuals, reaching out can be a powerful act of self-affirmation, resilience, and maturity. Seeking the support you need can help you reconnect with your sense of self, restore your well-being, and get your life back on track, fully embracing the strength and validity of your identity.

Are you in distress? If so, or if you think that you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:

• Call your mental health specialist or someone who is supporting you.
• Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
• Seek help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.
• Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
• Contact a minister, spiritual leader, or someone else in your faith community.

If a loved one or friend is in danger of attempting suicide or has made an attempt:

• Make sure someone stays with that person.
• Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
• Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.