Growing Concern: Report Highlights Inequity In Mental Health Care For LGBTQ Youth

Mental Health Care for LGBTQ Youth
Spread the love

  • Recent research revealed a glaring gap in the mental health care for LGBTQ youth.
  • This lack of treatment has fuelled soaring rates of depression, anxiety, and body image issues in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community and harboring a spectrum of unconventional sexualities can be extremely tough in a world that is hell-bent on protecting and preaching traditional notions of gender and sexuality aka heterosexuality.

Hate crimes and homophobia constitute common everyday experiences for the members of this community. Because of this, members of this community are often susceptible to the development of a large number of mental health disorders.

Research shows that approximately half of LGBTQ communities report experiences of depression and three in five report social anxiety. It was also found that one in eight LGBTIQ+ individuals aged 18 to 24 had attempted suicide.

Additionally, nearly half of transgender individuals—particularly teenagers and young adults—had contemplated ending their own lives. Experts claim that mental health disorders like body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and substance use disorders are at an all-time high in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Are The Affected Individuals Availing LGBTQ Mental Health Services?

Fortunately, for the rising number of laws that legitimize LGBTQ rights and the growing mental health awareness about the LGBTQ community’s mental health, there is a burgeoning need for LGBTQ mental health services. However, studies conducted across the world, even in countries having a conducive environment to varied sexual orientations, reveal that mental health care for LGBTQ youth is lacking. 

For instance, an analysis of over 8,000 facilities providing mental health services to youth in 2020 revealed that only 28% offered services specifically designed for LGBTQ individuals, a slight increase from 2014.

Availability of LGBTQ-specific services varied across states, with coastal states generally having higher availability compared to rural states. On a per capita basis, all states had fewer than 10 youth-serving facilities with LGBTQ-specific services per 100,000 children.

Additionally, a report by The Trevor Project found that despite a high desire for LGBTQ mental health services, particularly therapy, 54% of those who sought counseling did not receive it, citing reasons such as the inability to pay for services. 

Addressing The Gap In Mental Health Care For LGBTQ Youth

Addressing the significant gap in mental health care for LGBTQ youth is crucial for their overall well-being and mental well-being. Efforts must be made to increase the availability and accessibility of LGBTQ-specific mental health services in youth-serving facilities across the country.

This can involve implementing targeted training programs for mental health professionals to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally competent and inclusive care.

Additionally, public awareness campaigns and advocacy can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the LGBTQ community and encourage open dialogue about the specific challenges and needs faced by LGBTQ youth.

Collaboration between mental health organizations, LGBTQ organizations, and policymakers is essential to develop comprehensive strategies that address the unique mental health concerns of LGBTQ youth and ensure that they have equal access to quality mental health care.


Spread the love
  • Music Therapy: How Music Helps Mental Health?

    Music Therapy: How Music Helps Mental Health?

    Research explores the benefits of music in treating mental disorders.

  • How Do We Remember Positive Or Negative Memories? Study Finds

    How Do We Remember Positive Or Negative Memories? Study Finds

    Neuroscientists provided insights into the positive and negative power of…

  • How Wearing Face Masks Affect Behavior? Study Finds

    How Wearing Face Masks Affect Behavior? Study Finds

    Researchers explored the social benefits of wearing face masks.

  • Mind Blanking: What Is It And Why Do People Experience?

    Mind Blanking: What Is It And Why Do People Experience?

    Researchers explored the benefits of the phenomenology of “mind blanking”.

  • Are Mental Health Cases Rising Due To Generational Differences?

    Are Mental Health Cases Rising Due To Generational Differences?

    Researchers explore how generational differences influence mental health.

  • Food Smells Enable Time Travel: Study Finds

    Food Smells Enable Time Travel: Study Finds

    Researchers provided insights into the characteristics of “food memories”.

  • Maternal Depression Affects The Child’s Ability To Speak: Study Finds

    Maternal Depression Affects The Child’s Ability To Speak: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how maternal depression influences a child’s ability to…

  • Spending Time In Blue Spaces Boosts Mental Health: Study Finds

    Spending Time In Blue Spaces Boosts Mental Health: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how spending time in blue spaces boosts mental…

  • Beyond The Potterverse: How Tom Felton’s Mental Health Issues Shed Light On Drug Use

    Beyond The Potterverse: How Tom Felton’s Mental Health Issues Shed Light On Drug Use

    How actor Tom Felton’s autobiography explores his mental health battle…

  • Families Who Eat Together Are Less Stressed, Survey Confirms

    Families Who Eat Together Are Less Stressed, Survey Confirms

    Science provides insights into the psychological benefits of regular mealtimes…

  • Baby Talk Is Similar Across Different Languages: Study Finds

    Baby Talk Is Similar Across Different Languages: Study Finds

    Researchers explored the similarities in baby talk across different languages.

  • Counting Steps Lowers The Risk Of Chronic Diseases: Study Finds

    Counting Steps Lowers The Risk Of Chronic Diseases: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how counting steps reduces the risk of chronic…

  • Children Who Tell Blunt Truths Are Generally Judged Harshly: Study Claims

    Children Who Tell Blunt Truths Are Generally Judged Harshly: Study Claims

    Researchers provide insights into how adults judge children’s habit of…

  • Netflix’s “The Good Nurse” Reveals Charles Cullen’s Mental Illness

    Netflix’s “The Good Nurse” Reveals Charles Cullen’s Mental Illness

    Besides glimpses into a serial killer’s psychology, Netflix’s The Good…

  • Do Women Have A Better Vocabulary Than Men? Surprising Study Finds

    Do Women Have A Better Vocabulary Than Men? Surprising Study Finds

    Researchers examined the gender differences in cognitive abilities between men…

  • The Fear Of Negative Outcomes Decreases When You Are Aware Of Potential Dangers: Study

    The Fear Of Negative Outcomes Decreases When You Are Aware Of Potential Dangers: Study

    Researchers shed light on the psychology behind the fear of…

  • Does Photo-Taking Help Students Better Remember Online Lessons?

    Does Photo-Taking Help Students Better Remember Online Lessons?

    Researchers explored whether photo-taking helps students remember information better in…

  • The Inspiring Story Of Matthew Perry’s Addiction And Recovery

    The Inspiring Story Of Matthew Perry’s Addiction And Recovery

    How actor Matthew Perry’s new memoir chronicled his victory over…

  • Does Reducing Screen Time Make You More Productive?

    Does Reducing Screen Time Make You More Productive?

    American researchers explored the association between reducing screen time and…

  • Sedentary Lifestyle: Effects Of Social Interactions On Physical Activity

    Sedentary Lifestyle: Effects Of Social Interactions On Physical Activity

    Researchers examined how social interactions influence physical fitness.

  • Learning How To Learn Makes You Less Forgetful: Study Finds

    Learning How To Learn Makes You Less Forgetful: Study Finds

    Researchers provide insights into the effectiveness of the spacing and…

  • Dogs Can Smell Stress In Humans: Study Finds

    Dogs Can Smell Stress In Humans: Study Finds

    Researchers provided insights into how dogs can smell stress in…

  • Mental Health Of Housewives In India: The Uknown Facts

    Mental Health Of Housewives In India: The Uknown Facts

    Experts delve into the poor mental health experienced by homemakers…

  • Are Halloween and Mental Health Stigma Linked?

    Are Halloween and Mental Health Stigma Linked?

    Experts debate the association between Halloween and mental health.

  • Can A Stressful Job Make You Depressed?

    Can A Stressful Job Make You Depressed?

    Researchers explored the mental health effects of stressful jobs and…

  • Is It Beneficial To Eat Fruits For Mental Health?

    Is It Beneficial To Eat Fruits For Mental Health?

    Researchers explored how eating fruits for mental health can yield…

  • Did You Know News Addiction Damages Mental Health?

    Did You Know News Addiction Damages Mental Health?

    Researchers explored the ill effects of internet news addiction.