Original Article by SIG Members
LGBTQ+ BIPOC Mental Health
Kevin O. Narine, B.A., University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Eisner, MS.Ed, William James College
July 20, 2020
LGBTQ+ BIPOC Mental Health
Kevin O. Narine, B.A., University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Eisner, MS.Ed, William James College
July 20, 2020
People who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Queer+ and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (LGBTQ+ BIPOC) are diverse individuals connected by intersecting minority identities. They experience racism in the LGBTQ+ community and heterosexism and transphobia in their ethnoracial community. Additionally, they face both forms of discrimination from the external population. Discrimination leads to mental health problems. Although there is increasing research on how to support LGBTQ+ BIPOC mental health, these folks receive less attention relative to white LGBTQ+ individuals. Thus, it is important to focus on LGBTQ+ BIPOC mental health, particularly given the unique challenges faced by this population.
Minority stress model
Dr. Ilan Meyer’s minority stress model provides a theoretical framework to understand LGBTQ+ BIPOC mental health. The minority stress model suggests that sexual minorities experience unique stressors based on identity, which increases risk for negative mental health outcomes. Although the minority stress model was developed based on the experiences of sexual minorities, it is also applicable to gender and ethnoracial minorities given these people also experience stressors based on identity.
Microaggressions and discrimination to LGBTQ+ BIPOC and the impact on mental health
LGBTQ+ BIPOC face microaggressions and discrimination stemming from racism, heterosexism, and transphobia. For instance, LGBTQ+ BIPOC experience exclusion and sexual objectification in the LGBTQ+ community. Among LGBTQ+ BIPOC youth, four in five have experienced racism and just 11% believe their ethnoracial group is perceived positively in the United States.1
Racism and discrimination contribute to psychological symptoms across diverse groups. Among Black LGBTQ+ youth, 80% reported feeling depressed and 80% feeling worried.2 Among Latino gay and bisexual men, racism is strongly related to psychological distress. In LGBTQ+ Asian Americans, discrimination, poor social support, and stigma lead to negative mental health outcomes. Similarly, heterosexism and racism are related to psychological distress among LGB South Asians. Among lesbian, bisexual, and two-spirit American Indian and Alaska Native women, sexual and physical assault are prevalent and harmful to mental health.
BIPOC LGBTQ+ resilience
Although LGBTQ+ BIPOC experience discrimination and oppression, they are remarkably resilient and do not experience higher rates of psychological disorders relative to white LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ BIPOC may be resilient because BIPOC learn how to cope with discrimination from their ethnoracial communities. Black bisexual youth are less likely to experience sadness and suicidality relative to other groups and their multiple minority identities do not lead to more psychological problems. Resilience includes the reevaluation of stressors, characteristics that provide a buffer against stressors, and resources that have a beneficial effect on mental health. Taken together, resilience reduces the impact of minority stress on the mental health of LGBTQ+ BIPOC.
Barriers to mental health care
Although mental health services can help LGBTQ+ BIPOC, there are many barriers to care. Black LGBTQ+ youth access care at a significantly lower rate (39%) than LGBTQ+ youth overall (47%).3 Additionally, even when LGBTQ+ South Asians are provided access to mental health care, discrimination deters them from utilizing those services. There are few mental health resources to address the unique challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ BIPOC. Throughout 9,828 resources in 139 university counseling centers, only 13 (0.1%) resources addressed the needs of LGBTQ+ BIPOC and there were no resources for bisexual BIPOC.4 Thus, culturally responsive and accessible mental health services are not widely available to LGBTQ+ BIPOC and additional services and resources are needed.
Resources
Below are some resources that can be helpful for LGBTQ+ BIPOC:
● Desi Queer Helpline (DeQH)
● QTPoC Mental Health Practitioner Directory
● The Trevor Project
Minority stress model
Dr. Ilan Meyer’s minority stress model provides a theoretical framework to understand LGBTQ+ BIPOC mental health. The minority stress model suggests that sexual minorities experience unique stressors based on identity, which increases risk for negative mental health outcomes. Although the minority stress model was developed based on the experiences of sexual minorities, it is also applicable to gender and ethnoracial minorities given these people also experience stressors based on identity.
Microaggressions and discrimination to LGBTQ+ BIPOC and the impact on mental health
LGBTQ+ BIPOC face microaggressions and discrimination stemming from racism, heterosexism, and transphobia. For instance, LGBTQ+ BIPOC experience exclusion and sexual objectification in the LGBTQ+ community. Among LGBTQ+ BIPOC youth, four in five have experienced racism and just 11% believe their ethnoracial group is perceived positively in the United States.1
Racism and discrimination contribute to psychological symptoms across diverse groups. Among Black LGBTQ+ youth, 80% reported feeling depressed and 80% feeling worried.2 Among Latino gay and bisexual men, racism is strongly related to psychological distress. In LGBTQ+ Asian Americans, discrimination, poor social support, and stigma lead to negative mental health outcomes. Similarly, heterosexism and racism are related to psychological distress among LGB South Asians. Among lesbian, bisexual, and two-spirit American Indian and Alaska Native women, sexual and physical assault are prevalent and harmful to mental health.
BIPOC LGBTQ+ resilience
Although LGBTQ+ BIPOC experience discrimination and oppression, they are remarkably resilient and do not experience higher rates of psychological disorders relative to white LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ BIPOC may be resilient because BIPOC learn how to cope with discrimination from their ethnoracial communities. Black bisexual youth are less likely to experience sadness and suicidality relative to other groups and their multiple minority identities do not lead to more psychological problems. Resilience includes the reevaluation of stressors, characteristics that provide a buffer against stressors, and resources that have a beneficial effect on mental health. Taken together, resilience reduces the impact of minority stress on the mental health of LGBTQ+ BIPOC.
Barriers to mental health care
Although mental health services can help LGBTQ+ BIPOC, there are many barriers to care. Black LGBTQ+ youth access care at a significantly lower rate (39%) than LGBTQ+ youth overall (47%).3 Additionally, even when LGBTQ+ South Asians are provided access to mental health care, discrimination deters them from utilizing those services. There are few mental health resources to address the unique challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ BIPOC. Throughout 9,828 resources in 139 university counseling centers, only 13 (0.1%) resources addressed the needs of LGBTQ+ BIPOC and there were no resources for bisexual BIPOC.4 Thus, culturally responsive and accessible mental health services are not widely available to LGBTQ+ BIPOC and additional services and resources are needed.
Resources
Below are some resources that can be helpful for LGBTQ+ BIPOC:
● Desi Queer Helpline (DeQH)
● QTPoC Mental Health Practitioner Directory
● The Trevor Project
Kevin Narine (he/him/his) is an entering first-year clinical psychology doctoral student at William James College. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2018 with a major in psychology. His clinical and research interests focus on examining mechanisms and developing culturally adapted treatments for anxiety and trauma-related disorders in underserved populations. He also serves as the webmaster for the SGM SIG.
Matthew Eisner (he/him/they/them) is a first-year clinical psychology doctoral student at William James College. He graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 2019 with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling. His clinical and research interests are exploring clinical interventions for LGBTQ+, with an emphasis on trans-affirming care.
Matthew Eisner (he/him/they/them) is a first-year clinical psychology doctoral student at William James College. He graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 2019 with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling. His clinical and research interests are exploring clinical interventions for LGBTQ+, with an emphasis on trans-affirming care.