It is suitable I suppose that World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day should coincide, because they so often cause and come from each other. These are by no means pleasant topics, but ill try to keep this light. I’m not an expert, but I’ll try my best.
The Facts!
LGBT+ youth are more likely to be homeless than their peers. Making up 24% percent of homeless young people. This number is on the rise. The majority of these have experienced familial rejection, abuse and violence. While homeless, they are also more at risk of sexual violence, abuse and substance misuse. They are also more likely to suffer from physical and mental health problems.
LGBT+ individuals are more likely to self-harm. They are ten times more likely to commit suicide. One in three Trans people have attempted suicide. LGBT+ individuals are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and PTSD.
The Pre-amble.
Well. That’s the fun bit out of the way. I could have listed more detailed statistics but the point is that homelessness and mental health problems are more likely and more prevalent in the LGBT+ community than any other demographic. I was surprised by the lack of statistics referring to LGBT+ homelessness in general (not just youth) and that I couldn’t find many detailed statistics in reference to mental health in the LGBT+ community past 2011. Perhaps this is a sign of changing tides, but I think not. (More likely my poor grasp on The Google, so my apologies for that.) The American statistics show a far worse picture. So by international standards we’re doing okay.
The Amble
Luckily homosexuality is no longer categorised as a mental disorder and neither is being Transgender. People now suffer from Gender Dysphoria, which refers to a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity. While not perfect, this is good as it allows for support to be provided in the form of hormone therapy and/or surgery. There are arguments that this classification should be removed too, but for the sake of red tape and bureaucracy, you have to be stamped before you get help.
The UK has numerous organisations and trusts set up solely for the aid of homeless LGBT+ youth and those suffering from mental health problems. There is a wealth of resources for people to clue themselves up, to better understand and to help alleviate the problem. But the fact remains that a significant proportion of LGBT+ individuals come from families, communities or countries that do not, and won’t try to accept them. It is this fact that creates the problem.
…getting to the point.
Homelessness is on the rise since 2011. Now more than ever, there is a need to treat the causes rather than the symptoms. We have and are making progress in the treatment and understanding of LGBT+ individuals. It doesn’t need to be said but the homelessness and mental health problems so frequently experienced by LGBT+ individuals are not problems that just occur from being gay or Trans etc. They are caused in part by the continuing refusal to accept that, we exist, we are normal, and we won’t try and convert you. The love felt for a child should not evaporate because of their sexuality or gender identity. If we worked more on educating, accepting and looking after each other, we wouldn’t have to treat the symptoms that come from fear, rejection and ignorance.
That didn’t feel very light.
If you or somebody you know is affected by these issues, we can help. http://www.supportu.org.uk/
Alternatively:
Homelessness – http://www.akt.org.uk/
Mental Health – http://www.pacehealth.org.uk/