This presentation takes a look at mental health in the LGBTQ community and offers a culturally competent program to alleviate this health disparity.

1. DEPRESSION IN
THE LGBTQ+
COMMUNITY
Bryanna Harlan
PUBH 540
April 3rd, 2021

2. LGBTQ+ POPULATION
Sexual Identity - Approximately 11
million US adults (4.5%) identify
themselves as LGBTQ.
Sexual Behavior – Adults are 2 to 3
times more likely to say that they have
same-sex attraction or have engaged in
same-sex behavior than they are to
identify as LGBTQ.
Sexual Attraction - 11% of Americans
have at least some same-sex sexual
attraction.
Transgender - 1.4 million U.S adults
identify as transgender.
500K - 1.4M+
200K - 499K
200K - 499K
8K - 49K

3. DEPRESSION
● Also known as Major Depressive Disorder or
Clinical Depression
● It causes severe symptoms that affect how
you feel, think, and handle daily activities.
● Personal or family history of depression
● Major life changes, trauma, or stress
● Certain physical illnesses and medications
BACKGROUND
RISK FACTORS

4. MENTAL HEALTH
In 2019, 2 in 5 LGBTQ
adults experienced
mental illness
MENTAL ILLNESS
40% of transgender
adults have attempted
suicide in their lifetime
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
LQTBQ people are 2.5
times more likely to
experience depression,
anxiety, and SUD
DEPRESSION
2 in 5 40% 2.5X

5. CULTURE
01 The LGBT population is very
diverse in terms of
sociodemographic
characteristics such as ethnic or
racial identity, age, education,
income, and place of residence
02 Shares similar beliefs, values,
customs, communication
patterns, and norms regardless
of their diversity.

6. CULTURE IMPACT ON HEALTH EDUCATION
LGBTQ people use a variety of terms
to identify themselves.
The lack of knowledge, awareness,
and understanding from healthcare
providers causes LGBTQ people to be
reluctant to seek care.
There is a long history of anti-LGBTQ
bias in society as well as in healthcare.
Due to this, LGBTQ people may be
relcutant to reveal their sexual
orientation or gender identity to their
providers.
LANGUAGE & TERMINOLOGY
STIGMA, BIAS, &
DISCRIMINATION

7. MORBIDITY
The LGBTQ community is at
higher risk for mental health
disorders putting them at a
greater risk for psychological
morbidity.

8. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Legal discrimination in access to health
insurance, employment, housing, marriage,
adoption, and retirement benefits.
LEGAL DISCRIMINATION
Stressors from family, co-
workers, and other
interpersonal relationships.
SOCIAL SUPPORT
Lack of social programs
targeted to and/or appropriate
for LGBT youth, adults, and
elders.
Shortage of health care
providers who are
knowledgeable and culturally
competent in LGBT health.
ACCESS TO CARE

9. THE PEN-3 MODEL
PERSON:
LGBTQ Person(s)
EXTENDED FAMILY:
Family of Choice
Romantic Partners
NEIGHBORHOOD:
LGBTQ Community
CULTURAL IDENTITY Cultural
Identity
• Person
• Extended Family
• Neighborhood
Cultural
Empowerment
• Positive
• Existential
• Negative
Relationships
& Expectations
• Perceptions
• Enablers
• Nurturers

10. THE PEN-3 MODEL
PERCEPTIONS:
Their mental health problem was
not bad enough to access
treatment.
ENABLERS:
Lack of quality care
NURTURERS:
Family and friends
RELATIONSHIPS &
EXPECTATIONS
CULTURAL
EMPOWERMENT
POSITIVE:
Reduced societal stigma around
accessing mental health care.
EXISTENTIAL:
Resilience
NEGATIVE:
Stigma, bias, and/or discrimination
in healthcare.

11. This program will take the necessary time
and develop processes to develop
effective partnerships with community
stakeholders.
• Local Pride Centers
• Community Support Groups
• Community leaders
• Community Mental Health
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
MULTI-ORGANIZATIONAL
COALITION
COMMUNITY- BASED
CULTURALLY
APPROPRIATE PROGRAM
01
This program will be a community-based
mental health program to promote the
utilization of counseling aimed at treating
and preventing depression in the LGBTQ
community.
02

12. STRATEGIES
CREATE A WELCOMING
ENVIRONMENT
STRENGTHEN STAFF &
SUPPORTS
ENHANCE PRACTICE &
SERVICE DELIVERY
PROTECT PEOPLE
WHO ARE LGBTQ
WORK WITH
TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
ENGAGE
COMMUNITIES

13. RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop and disseminate a
cultural-competency curricula
to medical training programs
that explicitly includes
materials concerning LGBT
patients.
CULTURAL
COMPETENCY
TRAINING
Expand the use of
telecommunication tools in
order to deliver vital mental
health services to LGBT youth
living in rural and underserved
areas.
EXPAND ACCESS TO
CARE
Require routine and consistent
data collection on sexual
orientation and gender identity
on federally supported health
surveys.
FUTURE RESEARCH
ON LGBTQ

14. CHALLENGES
Educating staff to foster inclusive
behaviors
Implementing training requirements
for personnel
Developing program policies that
recognize the needs of LGBTQ people
Acknowledging the emotional and
sexual lives of LGBTQ people

15. SUMMARY
11M U.S. adults identify
themselves as LGBTQ
CULTURAL
IMPACTS
Language
Stigma/Discrimination
2.5X more likely to experience
depression, anxiety, and
substance use disorder
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
1. Community-Based
2. Culturally Appropriate
3. Multi-Organizational
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Cultural Competency Training
2. Expand Access to Care
3. Future Research on LGTBQ Health

16. THANKS
DO YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS?
Contact me!
willib69@ferris.edu

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