Introduction
As we celebrate Pride Month at ONE Health, it’s important to reflect not only on visibility and celebration, but also on the vital role mental health care plays in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, accessing care that is safe, respectful, and affirming can be life-changing—and, in some cases, lifesaving. At a time when stigma, discrimination, and policy changes continue to create barriers, affirming psychiatric care offers a path toward healing, empowerment, and resilience. In this post, we’ll explore the mental health disparities LGBTQ+ individuals face, the power of affirming mental health care, and how advocacy and allyship can make a meaningful difference in care.
Understanding LGBTQ+ Mental Health Needs
Mental Health Disparities
Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are at significantly higher risk of experiencing mental health conditions compared to those who identify as heterosexual. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are more than twice as likely to experience a mental health condition. This risk increases even further for transgender individuals, who are nearly four times as likely to be affected.
Building on this, a 2025 study found that cisgender sexual minority men and gender-diverse individuals experience significantly higher rates of mental health conditions—including anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, eating disorders, personality disorders, and PTSD—compared to cisgender heterosexual men (Lu et al, 2025). The same study also revealed that gender-diverse individuals assigned female at birth are more likely to be diagnosed with many of these conditions, as well as schizophrenia, compared to cisgender heterosexual women (Le et al, 2025).
Minority Stress Theory helps explain these disparities. It suggests that chronic social stress—caused by discriminatory laws, structural bias, social erasure, isolation, bullying, denial of healthcare, and family rejection—significantly increases the risk of both mental and physical health issues (Pratt-Chapman, 2025).
Barriers to Care
Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ face numerous barriers to accessing both physical and mental health care. While some challenges—such as cost, limited provider availability, and insurance coverage—can affect anyone, LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter additional obstacles that are unique to their identities (Panchal, 2023).
- Discrimination: LGBTQ+ patients often fear discrimination from their healthcare providers and may find communication challenging as a result.
- Lack of Culturally Competent Providers: Some healthcare professionals are not trained to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, leading to misunderstandings, inappropriate treatment, or neglect of important aspects of care.
- Fear of Being Misunderstood: The fear of having to explain or defend one’s identity can prevent LGBTQ+ individuals from seeking care altogether, particularly in environments that feel unwelcoming or uninformed.
- Previous Negative Experiences: Past encounters with biased or dismissive providers can create lasting distrust in the healthcare system, deterring individuals from seeking care in the future.
The Impact of Affirming Psychiatric Care
Affirming psychiatric and mental health care involves creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where individuals feel seen and supported in their identities. This approach requires acknowledgment, validation, and respect. A provider’s ability to listen and honor a patient’s perspectives is “enormously important to treatment engagement, adherence, and life change” (Stubbe, 2020).
Research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to trust providers who use heteronormative language—such as assuming heterosexuality or binary gender identities. This can lead patients to withhold important information, which can compromise accurate diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and positive health outcomes (Stubbe, 2020). Providers who practice gender-affirming and culturally responsive care can foster trust, improve communication, and build stronger therapeutic relationships, ultimately supporting better mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients.
Psychiatry plays a crucial role in buffering the harmful effects of stigma experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Social stigma, whether external or internalized, can severely impact mental health and contribute to many mental health conditions. Affirming psychiatric care offers more than symptom management—it provides a safe space for healing.
Treatment Considerations
Trauma Informed Care
Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are disproportionately affected by trauma—including physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse (McCormick et al, 2018).
Implementing trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a framework for supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in mental health settings. TIC emphasizes principles such as safety, trust, transparency, collaboration, and empowerment, creating a more supportive and affirming environment for healing (Levenson et al., 2023).
Intersectionality of Identity and Symptoms
It is crucial for healthcare providers to understand and respect that an individual’s LGBTQ+ identity often significantly influences how they experience, express, and cope with mental health symptoms. Identity is not separate from mental health—it shapes how symptoms are experienced, interpreted, and discussed. Healthcare providers must recognize and respect this to deliver truly affirming and effective care.
Affirming Medication Management and Therapy
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, having access to affirming mental health care—including therapy and medication management—can make a significant difference in overall well-being. While the process of gender affirmation can be complex and increasingly difficult to access due to current legislation, research shows that gender-affirming care greatly benefits transgender and gender-diverse (TNG) people, helping reduce depression and stress, and improving self-esteem, body satisfaction, and quality of life (Wesolowski, 2024).
Likewise, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals often face unique stressors related to identity, stigma, and discrimination. When psychiatric care providers acknowledge and affirm a person’s sexual orientation and lived experiences, it can lead to better treatment engagement, emotional resilience, and improved mental health outcomes. Simply put, affirming care helps people feel seen, respected, and supported.
Advocacy and Allyship
Advocacy and allyship are essential for creating safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare settings. True allyship goes beyond acceptance—it requires action, accountability, and a commitment to equity. Here are ways providers, clinics, and institutions can support LGBTQ+ communities:
- Using inclusive language: Avoid assumptions about gender or sexuality. Use neutral, affirming language in both verbal communication and written materials.
- Using preferred names and pronouns: Consistently honoring a person’s name and pronouns is a basic form of respect that builds trust and safety in care settings.
- Educating providers and staff: Offer regular training on LGBTQ+ health disparities, trauma-informed care, and culturally competent communication to all staff members, from clinicians to front desk personnel.
- Engaging in advocacy work: Speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, support inclusive policies, and collaborate with community leaders to amplify queer and trans voices.
- Supporting LGBTQ+ organizations: Partner with or donate to local and national LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Refer patients to affirming resources and community support networks.
- Supporting policy change: Advocate for inclusive healthcare laws, expanded access to gender-affirming care, and nondiscrimination protections at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Promoting visibility and representation: Amplify LGBTQ+ voices in leadership, and celebrate LGBTQ+ awareness events like Pride Month, Transgender Day of Visibility, and National Coming Out Day.
Resources and Support
National Organizations
GLSEN
(212) 727-0135 Ext. 6565
The National Center for Transgender Equality
https://transequality.org/contact-us
National LGBTQ Task Force
202-393-5177
The Trevor Project
(212) 695-8650
Trans Lifeline
(877) 565-8860
Local Organizations
Stonewall Columbus
(614) 299-7764
Columbus Public Health – LGBTQ Health Initiative:
www.columbus.gov/LGBTQHealth 614-645-1847
Black Queer & Intersectional Collective
Kaleidoscope Youth Center
www.kycohio.org, 614-294-5437
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
http://www.columbuspflag.org/
Equitas Health
www.equitashealth.org, 614-299-2437
Helplines and crisis resources
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Conclusion
At ONE Health, we strive to be advocates and allies for our patients by providing quality, respectful, and inclusive care. We are committed to advancing equity in healthcare and reaffirm our dedication to creating a safe, welcoming environment for all individuals. We encourage open dialogue, continuous improvement, and a culture of learning to better serve the diverse needs of our community. To our LGBTQ+ clients and the broader community, we offer a message of unwavering support and solidarity, standing with you in the pursuit of health, dignity, and respect for all.
Concerned about your mental health? Contact us today to schedule with a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule now.
Levenson, J. S., Craig, S. L., & Austin, A. (2023). Trauma-informed and affirmative mental health practices with LGBTQ+ clients. Psychological Services, 20(Suppl 1), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000540
LGBTQ+. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2024, May 28). https://www.nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/lgbtq/#:~:text=LGB%20adults%20are%20more%20than,experience%20a%20mental%20health%20condition._
Lu, J. A., Soltani, S., Austin, S. B., Rehkopf, D. H., Lunn, M. R., & Langston, M. E. (2025). Mental health disparities by sexual orientation and gender identity in the all of us research program. JAMA Network Open, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.56264
McCormick, A., Scheyd, K., & Terrazas, S. (2018). Trauma-Informed Care and LGBTQ Youth: Considerations for Advancing Practice With Youth With Trauma Experiences. Families in Society, 99(2), 160-169. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389418768550 (Original work published 2018)
Panchal N, Saunders H, Rudowitz R, Cox C. The implications of Covid-19 for mental health and substance use. Kaiser Family Foundation. March 20, 2023. Accessed December 17, 2024. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use
Pratt-Chapman ML. Mental Health Disparities Among LGBTQ People in the US—Time to End the Stigma. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(1):e2456228. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.56228
Stubbe, D.E. Interest in Identity: Improving LGBTQ Psychiatric Care. FOCUS: The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry. 2020. 18(3). doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200021
Wesolowski, H. (2024, February 7). Using Our Voice to Protect the Mental Health of the LGBTQ+ Community. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). https://www.nami.org/advocate/using-our-voice-to-protect-the-mental-health-of-the-lgbtq-community/
