Pride is a celebration of equality and diversity, but a huge number of people in the LGBTQIA+ community suffer with poor mental health, much of which can be attributed to social factors such as homophobia/transphobia, discrimination, and isolation or rejection from families or peers. Some recent statistics suggest young people in the LGBTQIA+ community are more than twice as likely to have self-harmed at some point in their lives, and at much higher risk of suicide, with 44% having contemplated this compared to 26% of non-trans, heterosexual people. This risk increases further if you are from an ethnic minority, or have a physical disability. Back in 2012, the Trans Mental Health Study also found that a shocking 33% of trans people had attempted suicide more than once in their lifetime.
Living in a heteronormative society can be excluding and rejecting, and leave people feeling alone, defective, or confused, so turning to alcohol, substances, self-harm, or suicide might well feel like the only solution. As with so many mental health problems, therapy can help the individual cope, but wider societal changes are needed to reduce the likelihood of LGBTQIA+ people struggling to accept themselves and live happy fulfilling lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with poor mental health and this feels linked to their gender or sexuality, the good news is that (aside from mainstream services, including the NHS) there are services out there to help with just this.
I have pinched a few links from other sites and will post these below; however, today, the day of Pride London, I encourage everyone to appreciate diversity and respect everyone's rights to be who they want to be and love who they want to want to love.
Happy Pride, all!
The Bear xXx
Providing support to the LGBTQIA+ community: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-and-advice
Offers a directory of therapists specialising in work with the LGBTQIA+ community: http://www.pinktherapy.com/
Providing support to the LGBTQIA+ community: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-and-advice
Offers a directory of therapists specialising in work with the LGBTQIA+ community: http://www.pinktherapy.com/
Information on issues affecting LGBTQIA+ people: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/lgbtq-mental-health/#.W0DcYdJKiUl
For people in London: http://londonfriend.org.uk/get-support/#.W0DeC9JKiUk
For LGBT Muslims: https://imaanlondon.wordpress.com/
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