LGBT+ Health |
So as humans all our health is relatively the same, but each group has things they have to worry about more than others |
causes behind these health differences
The LGBT+ community is at a higher risk for bullying, discrimination, negative experiences with loved ones, and other stressors that were induced by one's sexuality or gender. These stressors impact the mental and physical health leaving the LGBT+ community at a higher risk for leading an unhealthy lifestyle, engaging in high risk activities, developing psychiatric illnesses, and suicide. On top of that due to the social stigma around being LGBT+ many fear getting professional help or are discriminated against and denied resources. The emotional toll for being LGBT+ is unforchunately a major burden the community holds.
The LGBT+ community has specific areas that are health risks that may apply to the community at our school including:
The LGBT+ community has specific areas that are health risks that may apply to the community at our school including:
- violence towards the LGBT+ population
- under-representation of the LGBT+ community in national health data
- gender/sexuality exploration among youth
- transgender health awareness
- mental health crisis amongst the LGBT+ population
- unhealthy school, home, and other environments due to sexuality and/or gender
unhealthy environments and violence towards the lgbt+ population
According to the Human Rights Campaign sexual orientation is the third leading cause of hate crimes in America. Also a school is the third most likely place an LGBT+ person will experience a violent act directed towards them and 54% of the LGBT+ community is concerned about being the victim of a hate crime. Now it is true that we are at a much higher risk than the majority of the population of being a victim of a hate crime. Our school does provide protection against these acts according to the Dignity for All Students Act and discrimination against many things, but also makes discrimination against any person(s) for their actual or percieved sex, sexual orientation, or gender forbidden. This also applies to outside of school or over the internet as well for it may impact the learning environment.
You can reach out at school as well. There are many trusted adults you can talk to including guidance counsellors, social workers, other professionals at our school. If you go to the nurse's office there are a bunch of awesome and informative brochures and pamphlets which are awesome. You can also always call a holtline or chat with a web counsellor. If you are in immediate danger please call 911. All of this information and more are included in our getting help section.
Though these actions may help protect us we can try to take precautions as well. Some things we can try to do include carrying items that can help protect yourselves and your personal beliefs. Also try to avoid going places that you know are high risk and if you do go make sure that someone it notified about where you are act and do not go alone if at all possible. Also make sure that you have a cell phone if you can in case of emergencies. Basic steps like these can help protect you from violent crimes and unhealthy environments.
You can reach out at school as well. There are many trusted adults you can talk to including guidance counsellors, social workers, other professionals at our school. If you go to the nurse's office there are a bunch of awesome and informative brochures and pamphlets which are awesome. You can also always call a holtline or chat with a web counsellor. If you are in immediate danger please call 911. All of this information and more are included in our getting help section.
Though these actions may help protect us we can try to take precautions as well. Some things we can try to do include carrying items that can help protect yourselves and your personal beliefs. Also try to avoid going places that you know are high risk and if you do go make sure that someone it notified about where you are act and do not go alone if at all possible. Also make sure that you have a cell phone if you can in case of emergencies. Basic steps like these can help protect you from violent crimes and unhealthy environments.
The lgbt+ mental health crisis
LGBT+ individuals are almost three times as likely to develop a mental illness than the average citizen. The LGBT+ community faces many stressors that others normally do not have to deal with such as fear of discrimination, stress over coming out, and other LGBT+ specific issues. This leads to LGBT+ youth facing the fact that they are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide and questioning youth are 3 times more likely to attempt/think about suicide and engage in self harm behaviors. Between 38-65% transgender individuals experience suicidal ideation and an idividual is eight times more likely to attempt suicide if they were rejected by their families after coming out compared to someone who was accepted after coming out. One of the most shocking details is how high the risk is for LGBT+ individuals to experience substance abuse. LGBT+ people have a 20-30% rate of substance abuse compared to just 9% of the general population.
The data collected on LGBT+ youth shows that we experience higher rates of self harm, suicidal thoughts, and we are almost six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression compared to the general population. The data collected on LGBT+ youth is astoundingly limited and if you want to participate to these statistics please go now to the survey on LGBT+ youth by GLSEN here. There are so many resources out there to help and I want you to check out our page on getting help if you are experiencing mental health issues.
The data collected on LGBT+ youth shows that we experience higher rates of self harm, suicidal thoughts, and we are almost six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression compared to the general population. The data collected on LGBT+ youth is astoundingly limited and if you want to participate to these statistics please go now to the survey on LGBT+ youth by GLSEN here. There are so many resources out there to help and I want you to check out our page on getting help if you are experiencing mental health issues.
References
Dignity for All Students Act, §§ 10-18 (2013). Print.
http://www.pinebushschools.org/pages/Pine_Bush_CSD/Main_Menu/Parents_Students/Back_to_School_Information/Dignity_For_All_Students_Act_P
"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health." Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2015.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health#twentyone
"LGBTQ." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2015.
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
Marzullo, Michelle A., and Alyn J. Libman. Hate Crimes and Violence Against LGBT People. N.p.: n.p., May 2009. PDF.
http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/Hatecrimesandviolenceagainstlgbtpeople_2009.pdf
http://www.pinebushschools.org/pages/Pine_Bush_CSD/Main_Menu/Parents_Students/Back_to_School_Information/Dignity_For_All_Students_Act_P
"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health." Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2015.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health#twentyone
"LGBTQ." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2015.
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
Marzullo, Michelle A., and Alyn J. Libman. Hate Crimes and Violence Against LGBT People. N.p.: n.p., May 2009. PDF.
http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/Hatecrimesandviolenceagainstlgbtpeople_2009.pdf