LGBTQ+ AND MENTAL HEALTH

The pride community is not all rainbows and unicorns. As colourful as the rainbow is, one can only see it when sunlight crosses over the dark, rain period. This is the same case with the LGBTQ+ community. They need allies to be like the sunlight who are ready to embrace and accept them for who they are. LGBTQ+ and mental health of this community should be stressed upon.

Mental health is a state of psychological wellbeing. It involves how we think, feel, and act. As we cope up with life, the way we manage with stress, interact with others, and how we make life changing decisions have an impact their mental health.

For several reasons, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community suffers from poor overall mental health compared to heterosexuals.

Certain individuals don’t feel that they need to fit into traditional categories of sexuality and gender. These people individuals identify themselves differently as lesbian, gay, asexual, bisexual or trans.

Being LGBTQ+ doesn’t mean that an individual has mental health issues. Being different or not conforming to your birth gender and sexuality is not a disorder to be treated. Over the years the LGBTQ+ community has suffered from intense prejudice, discrimination and violence due to their sexual orientation.

Many have experienced ill-treatment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity not only from the society but also from the people they considered supportive. The stigma and discrimination surrounding this community affects their overall wellbeing and this lot is more likely to struggle with their mental health than heterosexuals. This community experiences more social isolation than the rest and this makes it even harder for them to reach out to get support or treatment.

The term “heteronormativity” is used to describe the common perspective that heterosexuality is the normal, preferred, and the default sexuality of individuals within any society. This is where homophobia stems from and these assumptions lurk deep within our subconscious. This means that true equality remains largely inaccessible.It’s nearly impossible to escape heteronormative assumptions regardless of your sexuality.

When LGBTQ+ individuals inwardly aspire to heteronormative ideals of ‘perfection’, the following is often evident- low levels of self-esteem, never feeling good enough, attempting to ‘fit in’, adopting hyper masculinity or femininity in order to be accepted and seen as ‘normal’, trying to ‘pass as straight’ and severe discomfort with stereotypical outward displays of homosexuality.

Every attitude has three components to it-affect, behaviour, and cognition. This model can be applied to study the common attitudes against the LGBTQ+ community.

~MINDS HEALER
LGBTQ+ AND MENTAL HEALTH IS OFTEN NEGLECTED BY OUR SOCIETY.

The cognitive component in our perception is the stereotype–the positive or negative beliefs that we hold about the characteristics of social group. We may decide that “All transgenders are drag queens“, “All gay men are sexual predators or paedophiles,” or that“Members of the LGBTQ+ community are trying to convert others.” And we may use those beliefs to guide our actions towards people from these communities.

In addition to our stereotypes, we may also develop prejudice, the affective component–an unjustifiable negative attitude toward an out-group or toward the members of that out-group. Prejudice can take the form of disliking, anger, fear, disgust, discomfort, and even hatred-the kind of affective states that can lead to extreme homophobic behaviours like gay bashing. Our stereotypes and prejudices are problematic because they may create discrimination, the behavioural component–unjustified negative behaviours toward members of out-groups based on their group membership.

LGBTQ+ AND MENTAL HEALTH in India:

The LGBTQ+ voices that are heard through several online platforms form an important part of LGBTQ+ activism but these expose only a small part of the diverse challenges faced by the community. In today’s time homosexuality and queer identity is more acceptable among Indian youth than ever before but, within the boundaries of a family, home or school acceptance of the gender choices and freedom to openly express their sexuality still remains a constant struggle to many. Most Indian families have their own ways of dealing with LGBTQ+ individuals which include honour killings, family sanctioned “corrective” therapies and rapes.

In a society bound by rigid sets of social and cultural norms that dictate the terms and conditions of education,career and marriage, the lack of family support can always be a big blow to mental health of the LGBTQ+ people. Isolation and social pressure to conform with societal standards often leads to depression, suicidal thoughts and several psychosomatic diseases.

In the absence of family support, many individuals find ways to alternative online platforms where they interact with the sense of security and comfort. This has proven to have several positive impacts on LGBTQ+ and mental health as they’ve found a platform to be expressive of their fears and desires.

When exposed to such platforms where they can interact with like and open minded individuals it helps them in their journey of self-love,acceptance and realisation.

What can we, as allies, do to contribute to this community?

Educate yourself to increase your understanding. Don’t hold or stand back but voice out when needed and stand for the community. Accept them and make them feel accepted.Guide others about LGBTQ+ and mental health.
Confront homophobia or transphobia. For homosexual folk, speaking up against homophobic comments might not be favourable in certain situations but as straight or cisgender you are in a better place and position to do so with far less consequence.Stress the importance of LGBTQ+ and mental health.Do not tolerate hate speech, jokes or slurs. Even if you aren’t changing anyone’s mind, you may be making someone in the room feel like they’ve found a safe space.
Each person in the LGBTQ+ community identify themselves differently and have different experiences with their identity.Some may be ‘out’ and proud, while others may be in the closet or figuring out. Listen, learn and support.

If someone comes out to you:

Thank them for considering you as a safe person and for choosing to tell you.
- Commit yourself as an ally and let them know you support them. Be sensitive and never judge them. Even if you have strong notions about their community, keep them to yourself.
- Don’t panic. Instead ,listen to them and sort out your opinions or feelings later.
- Never use invalidating statements such as ‘I don’t care’, ‘It doesn’t matter to me’, ‘I always knew’, or ’ I didn’t see that coming.’
- Don’t make them feel guilty for not telling you sooner.

Coming out can be difficult and scary. Always remember that it is not about you but about the other individual. Be a good ally by being supportive and respective. LGBTQ+ people are accepted now more than ever before. The society is progressing but many are still holding onto prejudices from an earlier era. LGBTQ+ and mental health of this community is not stressed enough. Though progress is show in the society, it is still a dark phase for several individuals but eventually the storm will pass and the rainbow will emerge.