Lately, the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other) community in India has been facing mental health issues which are being acknowledged by people these days. Even though there has been a lot of advancement in the legal and social aspects, stigma, discrimination, and the absence of inclusive healthcare still lie heavily on the mental well-being of LGBTQ+ people. In this blog, we spotlight the mental health requirements of the LGBTQ+ community in India and discuss the best approaches to tackle these issues.

Understanding the Mental Health Landscape

The LGBTQ+ society in India is discriminated against and rejected by society and, hence, faces a lot of mental issues like the stress of being a minority, the internalized stigma, and discrimination. Minority stress is a term for the chronic stressors caused by the minority status of marginalized groups, which result in raised rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Besides, the multidimensionality of identities, which includes race, gender identity and socioeconomic status, adds to the mental health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community.

Barriers to Mental Health Care

Although the problems of mental health are getting more and more known, the LGBTQ+ people in India find it difficult to get mental health care that is both culturally acceptable and encouraging. The stigma, discrimination, and the fear of judgment from the healthcare providers prevent many from looking for help. Besides, the absence of specialized trained people who can empathize with the needs and difficulties of LGBTQ+ persons is the reason for the low speed of access to fitting treatment.

Impact of Discrimination and Stigma

Photo by  Mercedes Mehling Team  on  Unsplash

Discrimination and stigma affect the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in India. The continuous discrimination in several settings (for example, education, employment, healthcare, and housing) is the root of the alienation, shame, and self-hatred of the person. The stigma that we have from the society that we have stomped is the internalized stigma that results in our low self-esteem, identity concealment and reluctance to seek support.

Addressing Mental Health in The LGBTQ+ Society

A multi-dimensional approach is needed to be used in the case of the Mental Health of the LGBTQ+ community, which includes the systemic barriers, the use of inclusive policies and the fact of using culturally competent and affirming mental health services. One should make platforms where LGBTQ+ people can get help, resources, and connections with others without the fear of the people who do not accept them. Training healthcare providers to give LGBTQ+ affirmative care and including LGBTQ+-inclusive curricula in mental health education would be the way to improve access to good quality care.

Promoting Resilience and Empowerment

The LGBTQ+ community needs empowerment and resilience to be promoted as a mental health issue. Supportive networks, LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, and a sense of community membership can be among the ways to counteract feelings of isolation and marginalization. Acknowledging LGBTQ+ identities, promoting self-acceptance, and affirming all the different gender and sexual identities are the key elements of creating an inclusive and affirming society.

Photo by  Alex Shute Team  on  Unsplash

The mental health issues of the LGBTQ+ community in India need to be looked at as a whole. At the same time, the systemic barriers have to be broken, the policies have to be developed, and the resilience and empowerment of the people should be encouraged. Through the radicalization process, the stigmatization and discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community will be tackled and LGBTQ+-affirming mental health care will be advocated. This way, we can build a society where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, will be able to flourish and live life their way. It is high time to recognize the elephant in the room and to take adequate measures for the mental health of the LGBTQ+ community in India.

Note: Heart It Out offers frequent therapy sessions to help reduce people's distress. Feel free to visit our website to speak with one of our licensed therapists or other health professionals. You can also schedule an online or offline session with one of our psychotherapists in Bangalore.