Mental
Health and the LGBTQ community
NOTE: Support
groups and resources are at the bottom of the
page.
- Among
respondents to the 2001-02 office of health Education survey,
LGBTQ respondents were twice as likely to choose mental health
as their top personal health issue compared with heterosexual
respondents (p < 0.0001) (AJPH, 2001).
- Both
men and women who report same-sex partners are twice as likely
to have contemplated suicide in their lifetime than their heterosexual
peers (p<.05) (AJPH, 2001).
- Women
reporting same-sex partners are more than three times more likely
to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder in their lifetime
than heterosexual women (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.3)
(AJPH, 2001).
- Women
reporting same-sex partners are more than four times more likely
to experience drug abuse in their lifetime than heterosexual women
(OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.4- 8.1) (AJPH, 2001).
- Men
reporting same-sex partners are close to three times more likely
to experience drug abuse in their lifetime than heterosexual men
(OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.6- 5.1) (AJPH, 2001).
| Depression |
- Depression
is a "whole-body" illness, involving your body,
mood, and thoughts.
- A
depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood.
- It
is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can
be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness
cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get
better.
- Appropriate
treatment can help most people who suffer from depression.
- The
symptoms of depression may vary from person to person, and
also depend on the severity of the depression.
|
| Depression
causes: |
- Changes
in Thinking - problems with concentration and decision
making, difficulty with short term memory, pessimism, poor
self-esteem, excessive guilt, and self-criticism.
- Changes
in Feelings - feeling sad for no reason, no longer enjoying
activities, lacking motivation, being tired all the time,
irritability, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
- Changes
in Behavior - apathetic, social withdrawal, changes
in appetite, excessive crying is common, sexual desire may
disappear. In the extreme, people may neglect their personal
appearance, even neglecting basic hygiene.
- Changes
in Physical well-being - chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances,
loss of appetite, feeling slowed down or restless, complaints
of physical aches and pains.
|
| Generalized
Anxiety Disorder |
- GAD
is defined as chronic anxiety, with excessive worrying over
a period of at least six months.
- You
might feel restless, tense and tired, have difficulty sleeping,
find it hard to concentrate, and be more irritable than
usual.
- The
key component of this disorder is not worry, but excessive
worry.
- Generalized
anxiety disorder is not a biological problem, it is a psychological
problem with pronounced physical symptoms.
- It
requires psychological treatment, most often a combination
of behavioral and cognitive therapy.
- The
development of cognitive coping strategies for managing
anxiety is a particularly effective treatment for individuals
with generalized anxiety disorder.
|
| Suicide |
- Suicide
was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people 15
to 24 years of age.
- The
strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are
depression, alcohol or other drug use disorder, and aggressive
or disruptive behaviors.
|
| Warning
signs |
- Verbal
threats such as "You'd be better off without me"
or "Maybe I won't be around anymore..."
- Expressions
of hopelessness and/or helplessness.
- Previous
suicide attempts.
- Daring
and risk-taking behavior.
- Personality
changes (i.e. withdrawal, aggression, moodiness).
- Depression.
- Giving
away prized possessions.
- Lack
of interest in the future.
|
PINK
& BLUES
Wednesdays
6:30pm
The Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany; [330 S. 13th St.]
Free peer support for LGBT with mental illness. Sponsored by the
Delaware Valley Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. For info,
contact Mark <mark.davi@phila.gov>
or 215-546-0300 x 3301.
Call 1-800-SUICIDE
If you think you may have one of these problems or are experiencing
any other distressing symptoms, please contact CAPS (Counseling
and Psychological Services) 215-898-7021
Other
Resources:
National Mental Health Association
National
Mental Health Information Center
National
Insitute of Mental Health
Non-PENN
Resources and Information
Psychology Information
Online
AFFIRM - Psychologist
affirming their gay, lesbian and bisexual family
|
