A person's sexual orientation and gender play a large role in whether or not they seek mental health and substance use treatment according to researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles.
A new study, conducted by Christine E. Grella, Lisa Greenwell, Vickie M. Mays and Susan D. Cochra, found that gays and lesbians are twice as likely to seek mental health and substance use treatment than their heterosexual counterparts. 48.5% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people reported receiving treatment in the past year, compared to 22.5% of heterosexuals. The study also found that gay and bisexual men have a higher prevalence of depression, panic attacks, and psychological distress compared with heterosexual men.
Why the disparity?
Previous research has shown that substance use and mental disorders are higher among "sexual minorities," but fewer studies have explored the influence of sexual orientation and gender on seeking treatment. The UCLA study theorizes that higher instances of discrimination, violence, lack of coping skills, family rejection, and other stressful life events experienced by LGBT people may contribute to the likelihood of them seeking more mental health and substance use treatment.
"Underserved Communities"
The study reads: "Issues that pertain to unmet need for mental health treatment have found that underutilization of treatment is highest among those groups that are traditionally underserved, including the elderly, racial/ethnic minorities, those with low-incomes, the uninsured, and residents of rural areas." In other words, those less likely to have access to or afford health care are less likely to seek help. (Et um... Dare I add to the national health care debate?)
In most instances, when we talk about LGBT people as a "community," we tend to leave out those that are also in "underserved" populations. The study does not explicitly say if the LGBT people of these underserved populations are more likely to seek treatment; but it does, however, reveal that "sexual minorities who are also ethnic minorities face additional barriers to seeking health services and are less likely to receive care."
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Dah!!!!
This article is interesting but those of the gay community are swimming upstream from the seemingly normal drift of society. As a result we are questioning the status quo since in many cases we are not invited into it. Therefore we are subject to more hate than the average Joe or Josephine.
There are other communities that chart their own course. I’m a clergy abuse victim or a victim of sexual abuse by a spiritual elder. Some think we are all screwed up. My realization is that we are questioning more than most in that category since we know better than to buy into all the magic. Questions end up being good traveling companions through life; giving one a good eye for the road ahead. I feel some think psychotherapy provides insight and growth. To each their own.