“The thing is, in many cases, mental illness and being queer go hand in hand,” writes Alexander Leon for The Guardian, “It’s an uncomfortable but important reality that LGBT youth are four times more likely to kill themselves than their heterosexual counterparts.” Leon cites that “more than half of individuals who identify as transgender experience depression or anxiety.” Mental health issues and behavioral health issues are extremely common among LGBTQ+ teenagers and adults. Trauma is common as well.
For many individuals, “coming out” is a traumatizing experience, both on their part and on the part of who they are coming out to. Identifying with a gender, gender expression, and sexuality that is non-binary and non-heterosexual is still largely stigmatized in our modern world, despite the progress we have made. Coming into the LGBTQ+ community is met with words like “inclusion” because anyone who doesn’t meet the neatly folded standards of the cisgender binary world are considered “excluded”. Embracing who one is, how one sees the self, and who one wants to love can be a reality-shattering journey. After gathering the strength, pride, and confidence to come out to family members or friends, it takes a moment of pure vulnerability to say “this is who I am”. Sadly, many people are met with anger, hatred, frustration, chastisement, abuse, neglect, and abandonment. What should be a momentous celebration quickly transforms into a heart-breaking disappointment.
Trauma can be defined as any life event which negatively influences the way one sees themselves and who they are in the world they live in. As well, trauma negatively influences how one sees the world around them. People who are coming out have a very real perspective shift when the world of unconditional, uncategorized love is met with the world of hatred, bigotry, misunderstanding, and fear. Though they may finally see themselves and love themselves for who they are without negative influence, the stark contrast of how they fit into the world of people who they love can be traumatizing. Too many people face physical abuse, emotional abuse, and verbal abuse when bravely taking ownership of who they love.
You are loved exactly for who you are. If you have experienced trauma for being LGBTQ+, help is available. The Guest House Ocala opens its arms to anyone seeking healing from trauma, addictions, and related mental health issues. Call us today for information on our residential treatment programs: 1-855-483-7800