LGBTQIA — my story, my passion, my pride
Why do members of the LGBTQ+ community struggle with their mental health?
Mental health problems such as depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, at any time. They are however, more common among LGBTQ+ people. Why is this still the case when we’ve made such strides forward in creating a safer and more inclusive climate for the community?
Sadly, I know first hand that young LGBTQ+ still face a complex set of struggles navigating a world that still sees them as different or atypical at best — broken or wrong at worst. The social isolation, rejection, homo-/transphobia and discrimination that this then incubates have a profound impact on the way a young persons’ sense of self develops.
The numbers are alarming. The LGBT in Britain — Health report by Stonewall based on YouGov research recently found that:
52% of LGBT people said they’ve experienced depression in the last year.
One in eight LGBT people aged 18–24 said they’ve attempted to take their own life in the last year.
Almost half of trans people (46%) have thought about taking their own life in the last year, 31% of LGB people who aren’t trans said the same.
41% of non-binary people said they harmed themselves in the last year compared to 20 per cent of LGBT women and 12 per cent of GBT men.
The report includes further important key findings. Simply put though, it clearly demonstrates that being LGBTQ+ puts you at significant risk of mental health struggles.
Even more alarmingly, Conversion Therapy is still legal in the UK!
Email your MP today at banconversiontherapy.com
#BanConversionTherapy
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I understand how this psychological process manifests over time. For me, it began with noticing that I was somehow different from others around me. These feelings of being different sparked relentless doubts about myself.
Questions that would be going around in circles in my head for years would be, “Who am I? Where do I belong? What will others think of me? Who can I trust?”
At times I would think, “Something is wrong with me. No one likes me. I don’t have any friends.”
When it became more clear to me that I was struggling with finding my identity and defining my sexuality I was ashamed of myself, did not want “it” to be true. I started to reject myself, not allowing myself to have thoughts and feelings related to me being gay. Self-hatred followed. These were internal struggles I shared with less than a handful of close friends.
When I decided to come out my fears of being rejected became reality.
At school I was pushed around by older students, called names during break time. Many people turned away from me. At times I didn’t feel safe walking somewhere, not just when it was dark but also during the day.
Despite this, I’ve been lucky in many ways. My experiences lit a passion in me to develop my practice as a psychologist to help young people who may share my experiences. Through my own therapeutic journey I have learned to love myself and to be proud of who I am and what I have achieved. I want the same for every child or young person I work with.
If you or your child are struggling with your mental health because you/they are experiencing similar challenges, let me be an ally for you and support you through this turbulent time of figuring out who you are, where you belong, to love yourself and be proud of who you are.
Email your MP today at banconversiontherapy.com
#BanConversionTherapy
Thanks to Ali Hannon (they/them) for encouraging me to post this blog! :)
