June 2021 Newsletter | This Month, Let Pride Inspire You to Take Action for LGBTQ Mental Health
June is Pride Month! In addition to giving space for LGBTQ-identifying individuals to celebrate their identities and for everyone to remember and honor those who have fought for recognition and equality, Pride is an opportunity to take stock of the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain.
There have been vast improvements to mental health services for LGBTQ individuals over the past several decades. But while access and understanding have generally improved, there are still so many people not receiving the care and support that they need and deserve while facing incredible levels of discrimination on a daily basis.
In late 2014 GLAAD commissioned a Harris Poll to answer the question “Do gays unsettle you?” About 30 percent of respondents who did not identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender said that it would unsettle them to learn that their physician or child’s teacher identified as LGBT. 45 percent of non-LGBT respondents said that they would be uncomfortable bringing a child to a same-sex wedding. But that was seven years ago, surely by now discrimination against LGBTQ individuals has become less concerning, right?
In 2020, the Center for American Progress (CAP) released findings from a survey of self-identified LGBTQ Americans (1,528 adults ages 18 and older) and found that many LGBTQ individuals continue to face discrimination in their personal lives, in the workplace, in the public sphere, and in their access to critical healthcare services. 36 percent of respondents said they faced discrimination in their lives generally, while nearly 30 percent noted discrimination in the workplace and the average was around 50 percent when it came to facing discrimination in the public sphere. This discrimination has lead to adverse effects on finances and mental and physical well-being. Unsurprisingly, Transgender individuals, individuals of color, and disabled individuals were subject to the greatest amounts of discrimination.
Unfortunately, 2021 is not shaping up to be any better. As of mid-March there were already 82 anti-Transgender bills introduced in various states’ legislatures including one in Arkansas that will allow doctors to refuse treatment to individuals based on the doctors’ religious beliefs. There is much to be done to fight this. Let Pride Month be a reminder to take action and get involved.
A recent Gallup Poll found that more adults identify as LGBTQ in 2020 than previously, up to 5.6 percent from 4.5 percent in 2017, an on-going trend especially among younger generations. While we can hope that discrimination will decrease with more individuals in younger generations identifying as LGBTQ, we cannot ignore the fact that LGBTQ individuals are suffering at great rates right now. So this month, celebrate Pride by getting involved and taking action:
For LGBTQ individuals
Know that you deserve fair and equal treatment. If you are in need of mental health services, Mental Health America and Healthline have some advice on finding an LGBTQ-friendly therapist.
Additional resources:
For mental health practitioners:
Utilize LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling and follow practices and principles described here:
Seek training and supervision in working with LGBTQ clients if needed.
For everyone:
Speak out against anti-LGBT legislature and consider supporting organizations that help to increase access for LGBTQ individuals to vital resources.