Stigma, discrimination, and victimization.
Family rejection.
Lack of legal protections and violation of civil and medical rights.
Barriers to accessing compassionate, quality health care.
These are just some of the challenges members of the LGBTQ+ community face that can impact their mental health. Studies show that LGBTQ+ individuals are more than twice as likely as their heterosexual peers to experience a behavioral health disorder. Almost a third of LGBTQ+ youth reported that recent laws and policies targeting their community have had a substantial negative impact on their mental health over the past year. A staggering 41% of them have seriously considered suicide. A full 53% of older LGBTQ+ adults surveyed said they feel isolated; a situation experts estimate can shorten their lifespans by up to 15 years.
The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that many LGBTQ+ Americans feel unheard about getting help for their mental health concerns. In fact, 24% of LGBTQ+ Americans disclosed that a provider had blamed them for their health problems. “It raises the question, ‘Where does someone go if no one understands them or wants to work with them?’” says Corrine Jones-Williams, a behavioral health consultant specializing in serving the LGBTQ+ community at AvitaCare Atlanta.
Read on to learn how she and her colleagues are standing by to help and tips for finding a mental health provider who recognizes and respects LGBTQ+ patients’ individualized needs.
Many LGBTQ+ Americans feel unheard about getting help for their mental health concerns. “It raises the question, ‘Where does someone go if no one understands them or wants to work with them?’”
An “innate passion to help others”
Corrine is part of a small but mighty behavioral health team at AvitaCare Atlanta. Trusted in the community for over two decades, the medical center provides compassionate, comprehensive, and inclusive primary and mental health care, infectious disease, and pharmacy services to the greater Atlanta area, focusing on the LGBTQ+ community.
Working with the health care facility’s providers, Corrine and her colleague Ajani Johnson offer supported interventions and psychotherapy to interested patients. “Once they are referred, we connect with the patient to complete a formal introduction of what we do and discuss options for how we can support them,” she says. “If the patient decides to move forward, we complete a thorough assessment and recommend behavioral health services that best address their concerns.”
A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Corrine says she prides herself in seeing patients as people first. “I have an innate passion to help others,” she explains. She was attracted to working at AvitaCare Atlanta (an Avita Care Solutions company) because the organization is grounded in supporting the holistic wellness needs of each patient. “It’s uncommon for a smaller entity to provide all the services we do, and I wanted to be a part of building the behavioral health component,” she says.
Patients are noticing, Corrine says. “In many instances, they have expressed their appreciation for simply being heard and supported regarding the stressors of their daily life, as opposed to simply their physical health.”
I have an innate passion to help others.
Tips for finding a mental health provider who’s the right fit
Unfortunately, many people seeking mental health services don’t know where to start when looking for a provider. Those in the LGBTQ+ community often face additional complications in discovering a behavioral health professional skilled in cultural competency and comprehensive care. Corrine offers the following tips for finding the right fit:
- Check with your insurance: If you have insurance, it’s always best to check which providers you may already have access to, Corrine says. “This will ensure a level of affordability based on your existing plan,” she notes.
- Get real about your preferences: When seeking mental health services, it’s essential to identify a preferred provider demographic. “Let’s be honest; if you have a preference, that’s okay,” Corrine says. “Someone out there may meet what you’re seeking.”
- Observe your comfort level: During your initial assessment with a clinician, observe how comfortable you feel in their care. “Ask yourself if you can share openly and honestly with them,” Corrine says. “Can they provide you with the type of support you need? Ultimately, it’s crucial to find a person or organization willing to see you for your concerns and not label you for any inabilities or barriers.”
In many instances, [patients] have expressed their appreciation for simply being heard and supported regarding the stressors of their daily life, as opposed to simply their physical health.
Behavioral health resources for the LGBTQ+ community
First and foremost, if you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, call 9-1-1 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is now piloting an LGBTQ-specific support program.
Corrine also suggests the following mental health resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community:
The Trevor Project understands the challenges LGBTQ+ young people face and offers 24/7/365, confidential crisis counseling without judgment by phone, text, and chat.
Call: 866-488-7386
By text, message: Text START to 678-678
To chat, click here
The SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline connects older LGBT older people and caretakers with friendly responders. Confidential crisis counseling is available 24/7. Information about community support resources such as health care, transportation, counseling, legal services, and emotional support programs is also available.
Call: 877-360-LGBT (5428)
The Trans Lifeline Hotline is a 24/7 crisis support hotline available in the U.S. and Canada and staffed by transgender people for transgender people.
Call 877-565-8860 in the U.S. or 877-330-6366 in Canada.
The GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality’s LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a free, searchable database of various health care providers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada.
The National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network offers an interactive online directory that helps QTBIPOC connect to QTBIPOC mental health practitioners.
First and foremost, if you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, call 9-1-1 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is now piloting an LGBTQ-specific support program.
