Stigma
The Unique Mental Health Struggles of the LGBTQIA+ Community BY MICHELLE JOKISCH POLO
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esearch tells us that LGBTQIA+ individuals are nearly three times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition. Some of the most common diagnoses are suicidal ideation, substance abuse, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Factors like confronting stigma and prejudice, fear of coming out, discrimination in housing, schools and employment opportunities, rejection from families contribute to why LBGTQIA+ individuals are more likely than others to suffer from a mental health condition, according to Amy VerWay, a therapist at River City Psychological Services. “No one is immune to trauma but the queer community is more likely to suffer from trauma because it can be more difficult for them to be accepted for who they are,” she explained. VerWay specializes in working with individuals across the gender and sexuality spectrum and has been a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and is on a path to become a World Health Organization practitioner
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to be able to provide care for trans people in our community. A staggering reality, she says, is that in the already marginalized community that is the queer community, trans women of color tend to be the most marginalized. According to the 2019 report from the Human Rights Campaign, the reason why trans women of color are more likely than others to encounter violence is that they are not only dealing with racism but they are also experiencing discrimination because of their gender identity. And it is these intersections that may force transgender and gender non-conforming people to work outside of the formal economy in situations where they may be more likely to f ace violence. “There is a lot of physical violence that can be directed towards trans females especially towards trans youth because there are a lot of misconceptions and push back when they want to use a bathroom or a space that aligns with the gender they identify with,” VerWay said. And VerWay’s assessment is correct with the ways that trans youth across the country continue to face pushback when attempting to use a bathroom
Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2020
