As we enter Pride Month, we recognize the many obstacles the LGBTQIA+ community is facing as they continue advocating for equality and unrestricted civil rights. One such obstacle is the proper recognition in healthcare and mental health—which has been a decades-long battle. The advancements we've made so far with more mental health organizations offering resources and support to the LGBTQIA+ community do not go unrecognized, but there is still so much more to do.
In honor of the LGBTQIA+ community's involvement in this progress, we are exploring the often-forgotten history of how they've made themselves more visible in the fight for mental health support and what you can do as an ally to help in their continued fight.
Adding homosexuality to the DSM - In 1952, The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a “sociopathic personality disturbance” in its first official listing of mental disorders. One year later that classification was removed from the DSM (a standard reference for diagnosing mental health disorders) after pressure from several psychiatrists and gay activists who knew that being gay wasn't a mental illness and shouldn't be labeled as such. The damage was already done, and many people continue to mislabel homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder.
AIDS - In 1983, HIV/AIDS was still widely unknown to most Americans. Despite reports of mysterious illnesses among gay men in New York and San Francisco, it wasn’t until May of that year that a story on AIDS aired on ABC News’ 20/20. During those early years, many in society would have told you that HIV/AIDS was largely a “gay disease”. In truth, homosexuality had nothing to do with susceptibility to HIV or AIDS. As we now know, anyone can contract it. Yet there continues to be a stigma surrounding this diagnosis, even today.
Conversion therapy - Conversion therapy has harmed many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially youth. In 2009, California became one of several states to ban licensed therapists and doctors from providing conversion therapy to minors (other laws still allow, but limit its use to adults). The American Psychiatric Association considers it a form of malpractice and says that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve a high risk of psychological harm. The APA also notes that same-sex attraction is not a disorder or mental illness—and says those who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community should be helped by health professionals in their process of self-acceptance. Harmful conversion therapy has now found its way into certain religious groups and has been deemed the cause of countless suicides among LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.
Though there have been some great success, there is also more work to be done when it comes to inclusion in mental health care. As of now, only 17 countries recognize same-sex marriage, and even fewer protect LGBTQIA+ people from workplace discrimination. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community are denied treatment because they aren’t comfortable coming out to their providers. The result is a high rate of untreated conditions like depression or anxiety becoming severe enough to warrant hospitalization—which can lead to patients facing more discrimination from medical providers.
Worse yet, untreated severe depression or anxiety can lead to suicide, especially among LGBTQIA+ youth. A national survey by The Trevor Project, this year found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the last year, and 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted to seek mental health care were not able to access it.
The LGBTQIA+ community has struggled against discrimination for years, but there is so much you can do as an ally that will help right those wrongs now and in the future.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are at an increased risk of developing mental health disorders and experiencing a mental health crisis. They are also at an increased risk for substance abuse and suicide. It is critical that medical and mental healthcare providers take steps to ensure that they are supporting LGBTQIA+ patients through an inclusive environment, gender-affirming language, and comprehensive care.
If you or someone you know in the California or Nevada areas is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Medens Health is a safe space for professional therapy and counseling services. Reach out to us by phone or text at (833) 624-5400, or by filling out our online contact form.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical or mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who is qualified to give you safe, professional, and ethical advice regarding your mental health.
If you or someone you are responsible for is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should call 9-1-1 and/or take them to the nearest emergency room.
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