LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Overall, the LGBTQ+ community has been found to be at a greater risk for mental health issues than their heterosexual counterparts. Moreover, recent studies on LGBTQ+ mental health show that these differences are significant. In particular, a study from Operario et al. (2015) found that sexual minority men and women were more likely than their heterosexual peers to report 15 or more poor mental health days in a 30-day time period. Furthermore, the study also found that sexual minority women reported substance abuse at significantly higher rates than heterosexual women.
In other words, it is apparent that mental health in the LGBTQ+ community must be studied. However, research must also focus on the bi+ community as well. Research on bisexual mental health matters, and has a great impact on what support is available.
Bisexual Mental Health
Even within the LGBTQ+ community, disparities exist regarding mental health. This can be seen in research on the mental health of the lesbian, gay, and bi+ communities. Studies have shown that bi+ folks are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues than their gay, lesbian, and heterosexual peers. Chan et al. (2020) surveyed 931 LGB individuals in Hong Kong on their identity uncertainty, sexual orientation concealment, sense of connection to the LGB community, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and mental well-being.
Ultimately researchers found that bisexuals were significantly more likely than their lesbian and gay peers to meet the criteria for probable depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Further, identifying as bisexual had a significantly positive relationship to sexual orientation concealment. Identifying as bisexual also predicted lower levels of connection to the LGB community. Therefore, those who identify as bisexual are also predicted to hide their sexual orientation and feel less connected to the LGB community than their lesbian and gay peers. This study concluded that disparities exist within the LGB community, providing evidence that bisexual folks are at risk for developing depression, anxiety, and a general sense of disconnection from the LGB community.
Conclusions
According to a recent Gallup poll, bi+ people make up 54.6% of the American LGBT adult population and 3.1% of all American adults, and these people also experience unique mental health challenges due to identifying as bi+. Therefore discussing mental health within the LGBTQIA+ community must include a conversation about bi+ folks and the struggles they face, and it must seek to eliminate the damaging stigmas and stereotypes surrounding the bi+ community. Advocacy for LGBTQ+ mental health must include the bi+ community and the unique struggles they face.
For this reason, Step Up For Mental Health® not only advocates for mental health, it also provides a network for members of the bi+ community to listen, learn, and share their experiences. We offer peer support groups and one-on-one sessions so you can have support in times of need. We also offer financial assistance for bi+ folks in need with our Bi+ BSN Project – Small Grant Program.
References:
Chan, R. C. H., Operario, D., & Mak, W. W. S. (2020). Bisexual individuals are at greater risk of poor mental health than lesbians and gay men: The mediating role of sexual identity stress at multiple levels. Journal of Affective Disorders, 260, 292–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.020
Jones, J. M. (2021, February 24). LGBT identification rises to 5.6% in the latest U.S. estimate. Gallup. https://news.gallup.com/poll/329708/lgbt-identification-rises-latest-estimate.aspx
Operario, D., Gamarel, K. E., Lee, J. H., Kahler, C. W., Marshall, B. D. L., van den Berg, J. J., & Zaller, N. D. (2015). Sexual minority health disparities in adult men and women in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2010. American Journal of Public Health, 105, e27–e34. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302762
[MEC id=”6115″]