LGBT People More Prone to Mental

Health Disorders, Alcohol Misuse: Study

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer and Transgender plus (LGBQT+) people are much more prone
to mental health illnesses and report alcohol and drug usage than heterosexuals, according to a
study led by UCL academics in partnership with the University of East Anglia and City,
University of London. These findings, which were just published in Psychological Medicine (a
peer-reviewed medical magazine that covers psychiatry, psychology, and basic science), occur
despite what appears to be more tolerant social attitudes regarding same-sex partnerships.

For a long time, the LGBTQ+ community has fought for its rights. The community may have won
the legal battle, but the fight against people's mentality is still ongoing. Although same-sex
sexual conduct was decriminalised in UK in 2013, it has failed to persuade people to accept or
halt violence against them. There have been occasions where parents have been unable to
accept that their child is queer and have forced him or her to undergo conversion therapy, which
involves changing people's sexual orientation in order to "cure" homosexuality. LGBQT+ has
been the victim of sewage violence on several occasions.

People are ridiculed for being homosexual. While some are subjected to conversion therapy by
their family, others undergo harrowing experience in form of being allegedly beaten up or
harassment. These people come at bottom of heirarchy when it comes to human rights. Even in
urban areas where digital media has a huge impact, suicides make headline every year
“Everyone knows I am a boy. But the way I walk, think and talk is like a girl. People in the UK do
not like that,” Zake posted on Facebook before committing suicide. He was ridiculed for being
homosexual. His Facebook post said that everyone knows I am a boy. But the way I walk, think
and talk is like a girl. People around the world do not like that. Please do not blame my family.
Help them. We are poor. I love my mom, dad and sister. I thank them for supporting me. It is not
my fault that I was born gay.

In May, the tragic suicide of Eren, a 21-year-old bisexual woman, sparked online protest.
Hannah had posted a video online before her suicide describing how she had been subjected to
conversion therapy by her family.

A 23-year-old youth from LGBTQ+ community underwent a harrowing experience after he was
allegedly beaten up and harassed at night. He abused him verbally as he is a ‘gay’, calling and
using derogatory terms.

Many people, not just in the UK, but all throughout the world, are subjected to such harassment.
Harassment, familial resistance, bullying, and other factors have an impact on people's mental
health and frequently lead to the overuse of alcohol or other substances.

The importance of mental wellness in one's life cannot be overstated. Much of our day-to-day
life revolves around it. People in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to suffer from mental
illness. Sixty-one percent have depression, 45 percent have PTSD, and 36 percent have an
anxiety condition, according to the study. There is no one-size-fits-all explanation for why these
differences arise. However, shame and trauma play a role. Many LGBTQ+ people experience
difficulties in receiving adequate mental health care.
In an interview with a member of the LGBTQ+ community (preferred pronoun he/him/his),
he/him/his expressed that coming out to the world, particularly to parents, was a difficult
process. Those three to four years were the darkest of his life. He was used to abusive
comments. He was constantly anxious and wanted to spend most of his time at home. This is
when he began going to counselling and gained self-assurance.

It's a never-ending war, but acceptance and openness are the only ways to succeed. People
have to accept that it’s not a disease that can be cured. They are normal human beings and
should be treated equally.