It is important for LGBTQ adults to have strong relationships and support.
It has become widely known that LGBTQ adolescents and young adults have a greatly increased prevalence of suicide attempts, but unfortunately, those risks don’t end when this population reaches adulthood. The risk of suicide and suicidal ideation can persist throughout the lives of LGBTQ adults, even though it is often overlooked by mental health and medical professionals.
LGBTQ Adults Still Have Higher Suicide Risks
Many of the stresses and difficulties associated with identifying as LGBTQ as a young person continue into adulthood. It is typically more difficult for this population to get or keep a job, advance in a career, and maintain positive relationships with family compared to non-LGBTQ individuals. For example, the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that transgender adults are more likely to live in poverty (29 percent versus 14 percent), be unemployed (15 percent), and not own homes (84 percent vs. 37 percent) than the general population.
In addition, as older LGBTQ adults lose a partner or significant other to old age or other circumstances, they may not get the support and help they need to cope. Their friends and family may not consider their loss important or valid if they don’t accept their sexual orientation, which ends up making them feel even more isolated.
All of these life circumstances are associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, which can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. It is not surprising that 40 percent of transgender people and 29 percent of LGBTQ people attempt suicide over their lifetimes.
Even elderly populations that identify as LGBTQ attempt suicide at higher rates than the general population in this age group (17 percent versus 15 percent).
In addition, higher rates of substance abuse in LGBTQ adults can lead to riskier behaviors and more suicidal thoughts and actions.
Support groups can help LGBTQ adults cope with upsetting life changes as they get older.
How to Help
Making sure LGBTQ adults have access to medical treatment and mental health services is one way to improve outcomes for this population. Being careful to diagnose and address mental health and substance abuse issues can save lives in the LGBTQ adult community by preventing overdoses and getting them lifesaving medications that can help them cope better.
Support and bereavement groups specific to the LGBTQ population can be an important way to address their unique needs and challenges and help them avoid becoming a statistic.
In addition, LGBTQ adults may need guidance and support to navigate available government safety net programs to provide for their physical and emotional needs.
In some cases, family counseling can strengthen or repair family-of-origin relationships, which can have a profound impact on mental health and stability.
Harris House recognizes the unique substance abuse treatment needs of LGBTQ individuals and offers support for specific problems often encountered by this population. Contact us for more information about our top-notch inpatient treatment program and other avenues of help and support for substance abuse and mental health disorders.
