WHAT ARE SOME REASONS THE LGBT COMMUNITY MAY SEEK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES?
Mental health is a crucial component to overall health and wellness. Each person experiences emotional ups and downs throughout life. For the LGBT community, there is often an added layer of challenge due to prejudice, stigma, or biases. There can be stressors about an individual coming out regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.
According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), the LGBT community is three times more likely to experience mental health concerns such as Major Depression or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. NAMI goes on to report that there are higher rates of behavioral issues in the LGBT community (20-30%) when compared to the general population (9%). Similarly reported, the LGBT community is at higher risk for suicide due to lack of support from peers, harassment, and mental health conditions.
More information from NAMI can be found at: