Mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves, with people beginning to understand the impact that mental health has on the rest of a person’s life, including their physical health. Conversations about mental health become even more important when we begin to look at minority populations, like queer and trans folk, who have been shown to experience negative mental health outcomes at significantly higher rates than the general population.
For example, in one systematic review of 199 studies comparing the mental health of sexual minorities to that of the heterosexual population, they found that sexual minorities experienced an elevated risk for depression (89% of studies), suicide (98% of studies), anxiety disorder (83% of studies), and substance abuse (93% of studies).1 Another review of 25 studies from 1966-2005 aimed to quantify the elevated risk, finding that sexual minorities were two times more likely to attempt suicide, 1.5 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety, and 1.5 times more likely to struggle with alcohol and substance dependence.2
Throughout this section, we cover a range of mental health topics which are of particular relevance to the queer and trans community. If you’re looking for information about substance use, we cover those topics in our substance use section here.
Note: This website is still in development. We will be adding new content on an ongoing basis over the coming months. If you’re interested in a topic that’s not covered, check back soon or contact us here to let us know.
fEATURED CONTENT
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence is often only presented in cisgender, heterosexual relationships. But the reality is, intimate partner violence doesn’t discriminate. Click the link below to learn more about intimate partner violence, including how to spot it and what you can do if it’s happening to you or someone you care about.
Suicidality
Click the link below to learn about the signs and behaviours that indicate risk of suicide, and how you can support people who are experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation.
Mood Disorders
2SLGBTQ+ individuals are at a greater risk for experiencing mood disorders, and contributing factors include societal and institutional prejudice and discrimination leading to shame about their identity and behaviours. Click the link below to learn more, including how to spot it and what you can do if it’s happening to you or someone you care about.
Gender Dysphoria
Individuals who do not ‘fit’ into the gender binary as male or female are more likely to experience discrimination and victimization. Click the link below to learn more.
Alberta 2S/LGBTQ+ Connections: a zine by and for rural folks
Rural 2S/LGBTQ+ folks are more vulnerable to isolation if they cannot form connections with their surrounding community, which can worsen other aspects of their mental health and overall well-being. In 2021, Do You Mind? focused on the mental health of queer and trans folks living in rural areas or who have rural backgrounds because they often lack access to mental health services.