Lgbt and mental health

This information was compiled by Rainbow Health Ontario and CMHA Ontario.

What factors impact on mental health?

Socio-economic factors (or determinants) play a key role in mental health and wellbeing for all of us, and are particularly essential for marginalized populations. Three significant determinants of positive mental health and wellbeing are: social inclusion; freedom from discrimination and violence; and access to economic resourcesⁱ.

All three factors impact LGBTQ individuals and communities in Ontario:

• Bisexual and gender non-conforming people are over-represented among low-income Canadians
  • An Ontario-based research found that half of trans people were living on less than $15, a yearⁱⁱ

LGBTQ people experience stigma and discrimination across their life spans, and are targets of sexual and physical assault, harassment and hate crimesⁱⁱⁱ

• Hates crimes motivated by sexual orientation more than doubled in Canada from to , and were the most violent of all hate crimes^iv
• An Ontario-based study of tra

  Mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual person or trans (LGBTQ+)

  Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm can affect any of us, but they're more shared among people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBTQ+).

  This may be linked to LGBTQ+ people's experience of discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, bullying, social isolation, or rejection because of their sexuality.

  Other things, such as their age, religion, where they dwell, and their ethnicity can attach extra complications to an already difficult situation.

  How talking therapy can help

  It might not be easy, but getting help with issues you're struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do.

  Talking with a therapist who's trained to function with LGBTQ+ people may help with issues such as:

  • difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
  • coping with other people's reactions to your sexuality
  • feeling your body does not reflect your true gender (gender dysphoria)
  • transitioning
  • low self-esteem
  • self-harm
  • suicidal thoughts
  • depression
  • coping with bullying

    Mental health findings for LGBTQ+ Australians

    Lifetime and month mental disorder, by gender experience, –[["Trans","Cis","","Trans","Cis","","Trans","Cis","","Trans","Cis"],[[],[],[null],[],[],[null],[],[],[null],[],[]],[[,],[,44],[null],[,],[,],[null],[,],[,],[null],[,72],[,]]][{"value":" years","annote_text":null,"x_value":"2","y_value":"96","x_axis":"0","y_axis":"0","x_offset":"0","y_offset":"","cell_row":null,"cell_column":null},{"value":" years","annote_text":null,"x_value":"8","y_value":"96","x_axis":"0","y_axis":"0","x_offset":"0","y_offset":"","cell_row":null,"cell_column":null},{"value":"Lifetime mental disorder&qu
    
    

    Mental Health Resources in the LGBTQ+ Community

    We know these times feel heavy. The soar in attacks on the Homosexual community and the loss of the dedicated lifeline for Homosexual youth can feel like yet another blow to our society, but even when resources switch, you are never alone. 

    Please dial if you need immediate support. 

    There are still support systems out there, ready to listen, uplift, and help you protect your mental health. If you're struggling, please reach out for assist and never forget that you are loved, you are seen, and your mental well-being matters. 

    Even without LGBTQ+-specific support on the lifeline, help is still out there. You don't have to navigate your mental health alone; there are resources available that can offer guidance, care, and connection. If you're struggling or simply need someone to communicate to, see below for a list of available hotlines, warmlines, and crisis lines, many of which are staffed by people specifically trained to work with the Homosexual community. 

    LGBTQ+ Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotlines & Warmlines
    *Not LGBTQ+ specif