Some of us identify ourselves as LGBTQ, which means we may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning – or we may define our gender and sexuality in other ways.
LGBTQ people can be at a higher risk of experiencing a mental health problem than the wider population. If you are LGBTQ and have experienced mental health issues, you are not alone. You might find you experience:
- depression
- anxiety
- suicidal feelings
(See our pages on depression, anxiety and coping with suicidal feelings for more information)
The reasons for this are complex and not yet fully understood. However, mental health problems experienced by LGBTQ people have been linked to:
- discrimination
- bullying
- homophobia, biphobia or transphobia
You might also experience rejection, negative reactions or hostility from family members, friends, strangers, employers or members of the religious community. This can have a big impact on your self-esteem and mean you might feel unable to be open about your sexual or gender identity at work, at home or in the world at large.
Watch Christine talk about her experiences of seeking help after her wife passed away.
