Mental Health within the LGBTQIA+ Black & Ethnic Minority Community
By Shelley Kohli, Equality & Diversity Mental Health Case Worker
At Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing & Hounslow Mind we are flying the flag for LGBTQIA+ History Month. However, we also acknowledge the difficulties encountered by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the persistent challenges that are experienced, as well as often having to deal with prejudice and stigma as a minority community.
Discrimination can be exacerbated based on other characteristics, such as racism. Marginalised groups such as Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people often face intolerance, and at times feel excluded from society.
Some may encounter issues of acceptance from family and friends. This is a problem for many LGBTQIA+ people, even within the LGBTQIA+ community itself, which elevates the risk of developing mental health issues, struggling with their identities, and feeling isolated.
Because of this, many don’t feel comfortable to come forward to seek support out of fear, or don’t want to risk bringing shame to their families, so they continue to supress or struggle with their emotions alone.
A quote from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England):
“The LGBT+ and BAME communities continue to experience disproportionate levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Educating and increasing awareness by including these statistics in our courses is an important first step to tackling these disparities, but there is still a long way to go”.
Here at HFEH Mind, we are committed to ensuring support for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to be able to live their authentic lives.
We hope that some of the resources listed below can help you or someone you know with mental health support should you need it.
Mental Health Resources for LGBTQIA+ BAME People:
African Rainbow Family – Support for LGBTIQ people of African heritage and the wider Black and Asian Minority Ethnic groups
Gayasians – Support for LGBTQ+ South Asians to thrive. They work with a network of 25 organisations to provide housing, mental health support, sexual health support, and safe spaces for people spanning every faith, gender and sexuality within the South Asian LGBTQ+ spectrum.
Sarbat – charity for LGBT+ Sikhs
Hidayah – the leading queer Muslim charity
Gender Intelligence – A grassroot Organisation for Gender Diversity
GIRES – Gender Identity Research & Education Society
The Trevor Project – Suicide prevention and crisis intervention organisation for LGBTQIA+ Young People
Sign up for our Newsletter
Sign up here for our monthly newsletter of mental health tips and advice, as well as to know what we’re up to.
We have newsletters for adults, children and young people, parents, and education staff.
Posted on: 22nd February 2022
