Mental Health Concerns of the LGBT Community Adapted from SAMHSAs - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mental Health Concerns of the LGBT Community Adapted from SAMHSA’s Top Health Issues for LGBT Populations http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Top-Health-Issues- for-LGBT-Populations/SMA12-4684

Mental Health Lesbians — Experience more mental health disorders, i.e. major depression, anxiety, PTSD Gay Men — higher rate of depression and anxiety (worse for those “in the closet.” Bisexuals-Up to twice as likely to report depression symptoms than heterosexuals, lowest level of emotional well-being of other orientations Transfolk — Data is limited. More likely to report?

Substance Abuse Lesbians — 1.5-2x more likely to smoke, more likely to drink heavily Gay Men — more likely to smoke, drink, use illicit drugs (not meth) Bisexual Women more likely to binge drink or smoke than lesbians or heterosexuals Transfolk — High rates of tobacco, meth, IDU

Suicide Lesbians — 2-2.5 x more likely to experience suicidal ideation. Gay Men — higher rates of suicide completions Bisexuals — higher levels of self-harm and suicide attempts than other orientations Transfolk — suicidal ideation 38-65%, attempts 16-32%

Body Image/Obesity Gay Men — Much more likely to experience bulimia or anorexia nervosa Lesbians — More likely to be overweight than heterosexual woman Bisexual women — more likely to be underweight than heterosexual and lesbian women

Causes for Disproportion Stigma Violence — societal and personal Childhood traumas Inaccessible healthcare Homelessness Discrimination

Obstacles Lack of data Mistrust Cultural norms Stigma