Mental Health
Mental health: disparities and resources
The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2020, mental
illness will be second leading cause of disability and death worldwide.
Data from Wisconsin indicate that LGBT people are particularly vulnerable
to experiencing adverse mental health conditions. For example, when
compared to their heterosexual counterparts:
LGBT youth are:
- nearly twice as likely to feel so sad or hopeless that they stop doing
some usual activities;
- 4 times as likely to attempt suicide; and
- 6 times as likely to have a suicide attempt resulting in injury.
LGBT adults are:
- twice as likely to never or seldom find meaning in life;
- nearly 3 times as likely to feel sad or depressed; and
- 7 times as likely to consider suicide.
These findings are consistent with other studies of LGBT mental health,
which have found that LGBT people experience higher levels of depression
and anxiety than heterosexual people.
The following resources are intended to address mental health issues
and disparities affecting the LGBT community.
All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the
benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not
testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided
on externally linked pages.
Hyperlinks marked with the 
icon indicate Wisconsin resources.
Aurora
Healthcare
Description: LGBT-friendly family counseling and mental health
services
Resource availability: Milwaukee
Anxiety
disorders in LGBT populations
Description: Information on anxiety disorders in LGBT populations
published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, and internet
Bipolar
disorder in LGBT populations
Description: Information on bipolar disorder in LGBT populations
published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, and internet
Depression
in LGBT populations
Description: Information on depression in LGBT populations published
by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; and Internet
National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Description: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention
hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Resource availability: Internet & toll-free hotline:
1-800-273-TALK [8255]
Last Revised: August 24, 2012 |
