Mental Health Awareness for LGBTQ+ Community

Belonging to the LGBTQ+ community comes with a sense of empowerment and pride, but it can bring unique challenges. For those who identify as LGBTQ+, it’s important to recognize how sexual orientation and gender identity relates to mental health.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports there is strong evidence from recent research that members of this community are at a higher risk for experiencing mental health conditions – especially depression and anxiety disorders.

Unfortunately, according to the American Psychiatric Association, many LGBTQ+ people have reported experiencing stigma and discrimination when accessing health services, leading some individuals to delay or even ignore their basic healthcare needs.

At Memorial Behavioral Health, we are here to help everyone face their own individual challenges. The first step is to make that initial call to seek help.

When taking that first step, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Providers expect and welcome questions from their patients or clients since this helps them better understand what is important in their treatment.

Consider the following questions to ask at your initial visit with a mental health provider. Be candid that you are looking for an LGBTQ+ competent provider. You should not feel like you need to educate providers about the basic concepts of LGBTQ+ identities.

• My identity is ______. What experience do you have working with people with that identity?
• What experience do you have with the LGBTQ+ community?
• Do you have any specific training or certifications that relate to working with LGBTQ+ clients?

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health concerns, don’t hesitate to seek help and schedule an appointment with a provider. Memorial Behavioral Health offers clinics in four central Illinois communities as well as telehealth options.

Clinics

Jacksonville
340 W. State St.  | 217–245–6126
Lincoln
515 N. College St.  | 217–735–2272
Springfield
710 N. Eighth St.  | 217–525–1064
Taylorville
303 Bidwell St.  | 217–525–1064

Telehealth 217–525–1064