Before delving into why mental health is so important for this community, let’s first examine - What does LGBTQIA+ even mean? Who falls under this umbrella term? LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.  

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According to the Human Rights Campaign there has been a record 520 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures in 2023, according to the Human Rights Campaign. In the LGBTQIA+ community, there has been a fear of discussing mental health, lack of affordability and circumstances of parental consent which makes the access to mental health care more difficult. Trevor’s Project has emphasized the experiences of LGBTQIA+ young people across the country and the increase in rates on mental health and experiences of anti-LGBTQ stigma in these disparities. The majority of LGBTQ young people (67%) and those who had recently experienced depression (54%) also reported having these symptoms, however 56% of those who had sought mental health treatment in the previous year were unable to do so.

What can be done to make sure you are taking care of yourself if you are part of this community? What steps can you take to make sure you can find a place to feel accepted, included and affirmed in your mental health journey?

Many of you may be walking around the world feeling unsafe, lonely, scared and anxious to be yourself. Protecting your mental health is essential during this time. 

• Pay close attention to your feelings and thoughts that affect your mind and body.
• Fear and anxiety looks different for everyone  however - being able to recognize the symptoms such as worry, distress and feeling of panic is critical and is the first step towards prioritizing your health
• Observe what’s positive around you and lean on those who support you during this difficult time
• Unplug from social media and news as it can lead to more recurrent exposure to stress, anger, fear and sadness. Check in with yourself regularly. Set time each day to give yourself a limit on indulging in social media and up to date news. 
• Set boundaries. There may be people who may feel that they need to have uncomfortable conversations, however it is okay to remove yourself from conversations that feel triggering and stressful for you.

There are a few important reminders for those in the LGBTQIA+ community thinking of seeking help and taking the first steps towards improving and protecting your mental health. 

• It can be validating to have an individual from the LGBTQ+ community be your therapist and advocate for you on protecting your mental health - Be mindful of therapists who may be the best fit for you based on the needs and understand the LGBTQ+ community
• Gender affirming care focuses on accepting and affirming your gender identity and your journey! We honor your gender, we honor your pronouns and we honor gender-neutral language to create an inclusive environment 

If you’re a Gen Z, you’re a part of the most diverse demographic of people to ever walk this planet: 47% of us identify as people of color and 1 in 6 of us identify as LGBTQ+. The founders of Sol Health—Gen Z’s themselves—created this platform to match our young, diverse, internationalized generation with young, diverse therapist interns who can help you navigate the complex landscape of culture, diversity, and identity. Sign up here, and you’ll get 50% off your first month of therapy with code “summer2023.” 

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Pride and love, 🌈

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The Sol Health team