Mental health issues if you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans

Poor levels of mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people have often been linked to experiences of homophobic and transphobic discrimination and bullying.

Other factors (such as age, religion, where you live or ethnicity) can add extra complications to an already difficult situation.

How therapy can help

It might not be easy, but getting help with issues you may be struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do.

Talking with a therapist trained to work with LGBT people may help you deal with issues such as:

difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
coping with other people’s reactions
feeling your body does not reflect your true gender (gender dysphoria)
transitioning
low self-esteem
self-harm
suicidal thoughts
depression from long-term effects of bullying and discrimination
hostility or rejection from family, friends or your community
fear of violence in public places

Read about different types of talking therapy and how they can help.