LGBTQ Mental Health Treatment
Putting a priority on LGBTQ mental health treatment is important. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), LGBTQ adults face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder compared to their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts.
The disparities extend to the younger LGBTQ+ population, as well, with LGBTQ+ youth facing an elevated risk of mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts. In comparison to their heterosexual peers, LGBTQ+ youth are more than twice as likely to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Transgender youth, on the other hand, confront even greater disparities, being twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms, contemplate suicide, and attempt suicide when compared to cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning youth.
For many of those in the LGBTQ+ community, these high rates of mental health disorders, substance and alcohol abuse, and suicide attempts are more than just statistics—they’re a reality of a life spent fielding discrimination and abuse. As treatment providers, it is important to recognize the unique nature of LGBTQ mental health support and to offer LGBTQ therapy, counseling, and other forms of treatment that are personalized to each individual.
LGBTQ Depression
Depression can have root causes that are both environmental and biological. While rates of genetic predisposition to depression may be equal among LGBTQ+ individuals and heterosexual individuals, there is often a large difference in the environmental factors that shape behavior and feelings of self-worth.
LGBTQ+ youth and adults regularly face prejudice and discrimination—at school, at work, and sometimes from their own families. This deeply affects how a person connects with the world around them, as well as how they internalize notions of who they are and how they fit into society. These effects can be long-lasting, echoing outside of specific situations and into an individual’s psyche. This can lead to depression in childhood and adolescence that, without treatment, can extend into adulthood.
Early identification and treatment of depression in LGBTQ+ individuals can make an enormous difference. By addressing the environmental causes of depression early on, those in the LGBTQ+ community can learn to process the shame, guilt, fear, and sense of isolation that is so often pressed upon them and find the clarity and professional LGBTQ therapy that can lead them to a healthy future.
Finding LGBTQ Mental Health Support
It is crucial for mental health providers to ensure that the community views LGBTQ mental health treatment as a safe space where they can be free to express themselves without judgment. LGBTQ mental health disparities also highlight the need to engage families in treatment and work to strengthen the bonds of acceptance.
At Synergy Health Programs, we have an expert team of licensed mental health professionals, therapists, counselors, psychologists, and more, each well-equipped and trained to treat LGBTQ+ individuals with the compassion they deserve.
LGBTQ Mental Health Resources
Mental health help is always available. If you are an LGBTQ+ individual in need of a safe and trusted outlet for discussing your mental health, please utilize online LGBTQ mental health resources or reach out to the organizations below:
- Hotline for the National Alliance on Mental Health: 1-800-950-NAMI (Free; available 24/7)
- The Trevor Project Hotline: 1-866-488-7386 (Free; available 24/7) or text “TREVOR” to 1-202-304-1200 (Standard messaging rates apply; available Monday through Friday 3-10pm ET)
- Crisis Text Line: Text “LGBTQ” to 741 741 (Standard messaging rates apply; available 24/7)
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (Free; available 7 days a week, 11am-5pm ET)
At Retreat Synergy, we offer inpatient and residential mental health treatment and a judgment-free environment for LGBTQ individuals to get the help that they need for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, and more. Please reach out today to learn more about our treatment programs and how to access more comprehensive care.