Addressing the mental health struggles of LGBTQ+ Individuals

It’s a hard truth: more LGBTQ+ mental health support is needed as challenges are more prevalent than in straight people. According to recent LGBTQ+ mental health statistics, while inclusivity has grown in the last couple of decades, LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination, bias, and feelings of social isolation. These factors, coupled with the stress of everyday life, lead to increased incidences of mental illness.

If you are caring for someone who is LGBTQ+, then it’s essential to be aware of the mental health challenges that the LGBTQ+ community faces and to take proactive steps to care for their mental well-being.

With Grayce, your dedicated Care Partner is always available to help you create a custom mental wellness plan for your loved one or to connect you with professionals and resources tailored to meet your needs and mental health goals.

As you navigate the care of your loved one, it’s important to always be aware of the mental health challenges that the  LGBTQ+ community faces so that you can identify and address struggles before they become a crisis. The general practices and resources below can help you take intentional steps to care for the mental health of your loved one.

Seek LGBTQ+ affirming health care professionals

Connect with therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists who specialize in LGBTQ+ mental health support and have experience addressing the unique challenges faced by the community. Your Grayce Care Partner can help you find an LGBTQ+ friendly mental health professional near you – just message them to get started.

While most health care providers can care for any population, seeking out professionals who have specific expertise in the LGBTQ+ population can give your loved one the reassurance that they are understood and seen. Additionally, LGBTQ+ affirming health care providers have the knowledge and expertise to address the mental health challenges that this population faces.

Build a supportive network

Everyone needs a safe space to share experiences, feelings, and challenges. This can be especially poignant for LGBTQ+  populations as they often express feeling socially isolated or alone. To address this explicit need for social connection, seek out like-minded and supportive friends for your loved one, allowing them to build a social community that understands them.

Additionally, it may be helpful for your loved one to join a structured support group, such as one in our Grayce Gather Community, where they can interact with other LGBTQ+ individuals and the people who care for them.

Explore LGBTQ+ mental health apps

There are dozens of apps designed to support mental health, but recently, a few have emerged that specifically address the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ community. These apps can be a source of education, support, and care for LGBTQ+ individuals who are facing mental health challenges.

While there are several apps available, two that stood out to us are:

• Pride Counseling: An app that provides online counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals in the US and Canada.
• MindOut: An app and community for LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK and EU.

Both apps offer digital counseling sessions, resources, and community support.

Participate in LGBTQ+ community activities

Numerous studies have proven the mental health benefits associated with being part of a supportive social community.  Help your loved one to foster connections through LGBTQ+ centered events and activities in your area. We recommend starting by looking up local LGBTQ+ group events, such as PRIDE events or parades, and attending them with your loved one.

If your community doesn’t offer LGBTQ+ events or groups, it could be constructive to work with your loved one to start one. This could be as simple as starting a LGBTQ+ friend book club or a monthly LGBTQ+ affirming coffee chat.

Help your loved one to practice self-care

LGBTQ+ mental health is closely tied to physical and emotional wellness, so help your loved one learn which self-care practices work for them. This can be as simple as ensuring that your loved one is getting enough sleep and healthy meals, to exploring mental health-boosting activities like practicing mindfulness or yoga. By making sure that your loved one is caring for their health, you can help them avoid mental health struggles. Some ideas are:

• Take daily walks
• Join an exercise class
• Participate in social events
• Eat healthy meals
• Read a book together about a powerful LGBTQ+ individual or ally
• Practice mindfulness
• Yoga or Tai-Chi
• Listen to soothing music
• Stretch

These self-care practices can contribute to the overall well-being of the person you are caring for and help them to avoid mental health struggles.

Set appropriate boundaries

Establishing and maintaining boundaries is essential for LGBTQ+ mental health and helps the person you care for avoid situations that impact their mental well-being. This could involve helping them distance themselves from unhealthy social situations or assisting them in advocating for themselves at work or in other settings.

You can create environments that are supportive of your loved one’s mental health by setting boundaries and helping them to understand what they need. In doing so, you care for their mental health and help them to avoid distressing situations and relationships.

What to do if your LGBTQ+ loved one is in crisis

Even with appropriate support and care, your LGBTQ+ loved one could face a mental health crisis. If this happens, it’s important to seek immediate help. There are several helplines specifically designed for LGBTQ+ individuals that can offer immediate support. These helplines are staffed by individuals who understand the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and are trained to help you and listen without judgment.

A few LGBTQ+ mental health services that you should be aware of are:

• The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386)
• LGBTQ+ National Help Center
• (1-888-843-4564)
• UK Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline (0800 0119 100)

If you are concerned that your loved one is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm or suffering from an acute mental illness, seek immediate help. Head to a qualified health care provider, or even an urgent care clinic or emergency department, to get help.

How Grayce can help

Whether your loved one has been diagnosed with a mental health condition or you are just looking to protect their mental well-being proactively, your Grayce Care Partner can help. Together you create a care plan tailored to the unique needs of your caregiving situation and the LGBTQ+ individual that you care for. Our Grayce Gather Community is also here to remind you that you’re not alone and connect you with people and resources—both online and in person—that can provide the support you need.