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Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember21 Sept 2020, 3:01 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Many lesbian, gay, bi, queer, trans and intersex (LGBTQIA+) community members live fulfilling and functional lives ❤️💛💚💙💜 However, studies have found that those in the LGBTQIA+ community face up to twice as much abuse or violence (including physical, mental, sexual or emotional) than their heterosexual counterparts. There is a cumulutive affect which increases the risk of mental health issues on top of social, environmental and psychological factors which can lead to an increase in both depression and anxiety.

Despite this, there are options for LGBTQIA+ people as well as supportive communities (such as our forum) who are here to hold space and advocate for non-heterosexual people as they need. Please join myself and our wonderful forum moderator & SANE Help Centre counsellor @Jynx as we discuss issues surrounding mental health and LGBTQIA+. We look forward to hearing all of your insight and coming up with some ideas on how to tackle stigma in the process

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117 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:11 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Hi again,

I'm gender and sexuality questioning, at the moment I identify trans & gay. I haven't decided on pronouns.
Looking forward to the discussion here 🙂

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:12 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Alright wonderful humans! Let us jump into discussion point one around the chat about the LGBTQIA+ community and mental health 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

First question! @Jynx @eth @Former-Member @Fluttershy1 @Former-Member

What do you think are some of the common causes of poor mental health for people in the LGBTQI community?

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

JynxModerator29 Sept 2020, 7:13 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

That's awesome to hear what a supportive environment you've helped create for them @eth! Thanks for sharing

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:13 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Hey @Former-Member thanks so much for sharing 🙂 We look forward to chatting with you too, very much!

@Schitzo Welcome! And hello @Fluttershy1 !

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Fluttershy1Senior Contributor29 Sept 2020, 7:15 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

A little bit about myself, I'm bisexual and I've have just worked out that I'm non binary and I go by they/them

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

JynxModerator29 Sept 2020, 7:15 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

What do you think are some of the common causes of poor mental health for people in the LGBTQI community?

There’s a lot of intersecting factors, I feel it largely stems from ongoing stigmatisation and discrimination. A lot of the community have been ostracised from their family of origin or have lost close relationships based purely on an unchangeable part of their identity.We still face challenges at every level; in individual relationships, through poor or harmful media representation, or even in words and actions that aren’t understood to be homophobic or transphobic. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness, shame, or needing to hide part of who we are to avoid being hurt. It’s not usually the only cause, but it can contribute greatly to having mental health issues.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:15 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Former-Member I feel alone.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:18 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Hi all,

I don't really "identify" with many things besides maybe being a cat lover haha.

Would've said bisexual back in the day before I knew there were more options - so pansexual now if you had to label it : )

Fine w she/her pronouns...really don't wake up in the morning and "feel like a woman" but I never think about myself in terms of gender, so I guess more gender-non-concerned than actively genderneutral, if that makes any sense

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

ethSenior Contributor29 Sept 2020, 7:18 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Former-Member @Jynx @Former-Member @Schitzo @Fluttershy1 @Former-Member @Former-Member one of the mental health challenges that has major effects on depression and anxiety and self-worth is gender dysphoria - feeling like you're in the wrong body. I didn't know at the time that my child felt this from early childhood as they didn't even have the language to say so until they were in their early 20s. It was so strong for them that, after chest-feeding 2 children, they decided to have a double mastectomy. This after several years on 'T' as well (testerone).

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Fluttershy1Senior Contributor29 Sept 2020, 7:18 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Former-Member - I feel like not many people actually agree with people with LGBQIA+, they just put someone down and make them feel bad about themselves when they are normal.

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