LGBTQ+

Table of Contents

  • Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Communities

  • Why Are LGBTQ+ Individuals at Increased Risk?

  • Common Mental Health Concerns

  • The Importance of Affirming Care

  • Telehealth for LGBTQ+ Mental Health

  • Family, Allies, and Community Support

  • Living Well and Seeking Help

  • References

Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Communities

LGBTQ+ individuals face unique mental health challenges shaped by stigma, discrimination, and societal barriers. Over 39% of LGBTQ+ people report experiencing mental health symptoms each year, and they are more than twice as likely as heterosexual peers to live with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. These disparities are especially pronounced for transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ youth and people of color, making safe, accessible care and support critical for well-being.

Why Are LGBTQ+ Individuals at Increased Risk?

Factors such as minority stress, rejection, bullying, harassment, and inequality contribute to higher rates of mental health concerns in LGBTQ+ populations. Coming out, dealing with unsupportive environments, and navigating political or legal challenges can create lasting emotional distress. Trauma and medical mistrust also impact help-seeking behaviors and access to culturally competent care.

Common Mental Health Concerns

LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk for:

  • Anxiety and Depression: Rates are 2–2.5 times higher than the general population.

  • Suicidal Thoughts and Attempts: Over one-third of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide; close to half of transgender and nonbinary youth have done so in the past year.

  • Trauma, PTSD, and Substance Use: Ongoing stress and negative experiences raise the risk for trauma-related disorders and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

The Importance of Affirming Care

Mental health care is most effective when providers validate LGBTQ+ identities, understand individual needs, and offer trauma-informed, culturally sensitive support. Research shows that gender-affirming environments, inclusive schools, and informed providers reduce suicide rates and improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Telehealth for LGBTQ+ Mental Health

Telehealth has expanded access to affirming mental health care for LGBTQ+ people, especially those in rural, remote, or unsupportive communities. Online therapy offers privacy, flexibility, and wider provider choice. Telehealth can also help clients access LGBTQ+-specialized counselors and resources from the safety of their home, reducing geographical and emotional barriers to care.

Family, Allies, and Community Support

Support from family, friends, and communities is a major protective factor. Allies can help by listening, learning about LGBTQ+ experiences, speaking up against stigma, and creating safe spaces at home and in the community. Organizations like PFLAG and NAMI offer education, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones.

Living Well and Seeking Help

LGBTQ+ people thrive with affirming care, supportive relationships, and personal resilience. Recovery is possible—whether through counseling, peer support, self-care, or advocacy—when mental health providers and communities honor each person’s identity. If you or someone you care about is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to an LGBTQ+-affirming mental health professional or a trusted support organization.

If you or a loved one suffer with any mental health issues and would like to explore treatment options, you may schedule in with our clinicans below:

Schedule Now

If you find the person you were looking to schedule with is no longer accepting patients, feel free to contact us at 734-707-1052, Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm, and we will see if we can find any openings for you with another similar provider.

References

McLean Hospital. (2025, June 20). Supporting Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Communities. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/lgbtq-mhmcleanhospital

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2025, June 8). LGBTQ+. https://www.nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/lgbtq/nami

The Trevor Project. (2023, Dec 15). 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/thetrevorproject

University of Cambridge. (2021, Jan 19). Mental health challenges of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7876969/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih

LGBTQ Therapy Space. (2025). Benefits of Telehealth. https://lgbtqtherapyspace.com/benefits-to-tele-health/lgbtqtherapyspace

Psychiatry.org. (2025). Five Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Mental Health. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/five-ways-to-support-lgbtq-mental-healthpsychiatry

Child Mind Institute. (2025, May 26). Mental Health Challenges of LGBTQ+ Kids. https://childmind.org/article/mental-health-challenges-of-lgbtq-kids/childmind

NPR. (2024, Oct 8). LGBTQ+ women face disproportionate rates of mental health issues. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/10/08/nx-s1-5131619/lgbtq-women-mental-health-carenpr

National Institutes of Health. (2019, Jun 26). Caring for Our Community: Telehealth Interventions as a Practice for LGBTQ+ Patients. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8389768/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih