Depression Issues Specific to The LGBTQI Community. Tips From An LGBTQI Friendly Therapist in Long Beach.

Depression is a mental health issue that can strike without warning.  According to Healthline, almost 16 million adults and 3 million adolescents suffer from depression.  And of these millions of people, LGBTQI people are affected at a higher rate.  Unlike the environmental factors that may trigger depression in our straight counterparts, LGBTQI people are at risk due to a separate set of triggers stemming from our sexual differences.

For LGBTQI youth, the place they should feel the safest is often the cause of their depression.  We’ve always known that kids were mean, especially during adolescence.  But for young LGBTQI kids, the effects of not being accepted during their formative years can be major.  Many kids don’t feel safe at school because of their sexuality.  They’re threatened, bullied, harassed and even physically attacked.  This can cause kids to avoid school and start performing poorly.  This can have adverse effects on their futures.  Experiencing this lack of acceptance five days a week can lead to depression.  The acceptance they’re searching for isn’t superficial; it’s about their identity.  Failure to get the support they need can be damaging.

Some LGBTQI youth have nowhere to turn after the bell rings.  If their parents aren’t accepting of their sexuality, they’re left with no support circle or people to turn to.  Many of them are thrown out by their parents, contributing to the rising number of homeless LGBTQI kids. Homeless kids in our community are at even higher risk for depression.  Resources such as Trevor Project, groups at your local LGBTQI center and PFLAG might be a start.

While the kids might seem to have it rough, LGBTQI adults can often experience the same problems.  The lack of acceptance that many gay adults face can still be difficult-even when they have thicker skin.  As you’re building a life in early adulthood, you need support.  When you don’t receive it, it can have negative effects on your professional life and your personal relationships.  The lack of support can often lead to deep, dark depressive states.

For those who’ve come out later in life, they often have to deal with the emotional baggage of ending relationships and breaking up families while also seeking to define their identity.  It can be a lot to handle simultaneously.  And many people can’t handle it all without slipping into depression from experiencing discrimination.

The best way to stop depression from settling in is to surround yourself with support.  Whether it’s in the form of groups, therapy, or great friends, it’s important to process and share your feelings.  Internalizing these feelings leads to anxiety.  Without treatment or release, that anxiety turns into depression.  If your depression is already fully developed, professional help can guide you back to a healthy state of mind.

The issues of depression in the LGBTQI community are often triggered by a lack of acceptance and a lack of support.  With the right coping mechanisms and support system in place, depression can be overcome.  It can even be prevented.