Most Common Work-Related Mental Health Issues The LGBT+ Community Faces

Mental health issues are unfortunately very common in the LGBT+ community and have been often been linked to experiences of homophobic and transphobic discrimination and bullying. Additionally, it has been evident that LGBT+ people from ethnic minority communities or those living with disabilities face even harder inequalities.

The impact of LGBT+ related bullying on emerging adults, either in school or in university, is large and more often than not LGBT+ people enter the workplace already facing some mental health issues.

According to ‘Consultancy United Kingdom’, “New analysis shows that LGBT+ people are more likely to attribute mental illness to their work environment and are less likely to be positive about support received, while employer interventions tend to not change the conditions for them compared to heterosexual staff.”

‘Mercer’ reports that “More than four out of five LGBT+ people (81%) have experienced a mental health issue, compared with 61% of the general workforce, according to new analysis released today by Business in the Community in partnership with Mercer and Santander, ‘Working with Pride’.”

Bellow are some of the most common mental health issues the LGBT+ community faces in the workplace.

Low Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. Although having low-self-esteem is not a mental health problem per say it is closely linked, leading to serious mental health issues. Hating yourself, feeling hopeless and worthless and blaming yourself unfairly are common low self-esteem examples.

Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues people from the LGBT+ community face. It affects one’s everyday life and when depression is severe it can also be life-threatening because it makes one feel suicidal. Symptoms include feeling restless, agitated or irritable, feeling isolated and unable to relate to others, experiencing a sense of unreality and finding no pleasure in life. In cases of severe depression one might also become delusional and experience hallucinations.

Anxiety And Panic Attacks

When we are worried, tense or afraid anxiety kicks in. Though it is a natural human response, anxiety can become a mental health problem when it impacts one’s ability to live life fully. When feelings of anxiety are very strong, last a long time or create worries which are very distressing and hard to control, anxiety disorder is often diagnosed. Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can include trembling, shortness of breath, senses of choking, chest pain and nausea.

Self-Harm

Deliberately hurting oneself is for some a way of dealing with difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. It can often be a punishment people apply on themselves for their feelings and is often caused in the search for people wanting to stop feeling numb.

Eating Disorders

Food is a vital part of our everyday life but when one’s relationship with food becomes difficult and is “taking over your life” it may become a problem. Eating problems can affect one’s life when it feels like it is controlling their emotions. For some people with eating problems it is difficult to concentrate, they are filled with the feeling of being tired all the time, and often experiencing feelings of guilt if someone finds out.

Drug And Alcohol Addiction

Addiction is a mental disease that changes brain chemistry leading to a person’s inability to control their substance use. More often than not, people with addictions do not realise they are addicted and rarely seek help. Drug and alcohol addiction can affect one’s behaviour, involvement in school or work, performance and family and personal relationships among others. Signs of addiction include taking drugs and consuming alcohol more often than intended and in large amounts, strong cravings to use any substance which are hard to resist and no longer feeling the effects of the substance leading to more and more usage.

If you think you need support, you can contact one of the organisations listed here or get in touch with myGwork mentors and mental health and well-being professionals such psychologists, counsellors, life coaches, sleep coaches and more that can help you deal with anxiety and other mental health issues. Browse our members here.

Take part in our anonymous survey on Mental Health and Organisational Support:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MHMygwork

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

Sign up to mygwork

________

LGBT professionals, LGBT Graduates, LGBT professional network, LGBT professional events, LGBT networking events, LGBT Recruitment, LGBT Friendly organisations, LGBT Friendly companies, LGBT jobs