About this poster

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Panel information
Panel 7. Health and Wellbeing

Abstract

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The existing literature on mental health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals suggests there is notable evidence of disparities between LGBTQ+ populations and cisgender and heterosexual populations (Cochran et al., 2016; Conron et al., 2010; Operario et al., 2015; Reisner et al., 2016). LGBTQ+ individuals are at a greater risk for substance use disorders (Connolly & Gilchrist, 2020; Kerridge et al., 2017), mental health disorders (Bockting et al., 2013; King et al., 2008; Pinna et al., 2022), and suicidal ideation (Marshall et al., 2016; Yıldız, 2018). The minority stress model explains how LGTBQ+ individuals face stigma, discrimination, and other unique stressors that add excess stress and lead to negative mental health outcomes (Meyer, 2003). The mental health of LGBTQ+ youth during critical periods of development is of particular concern. For youth, suicide was the second-leading cause of death in those aged 10-14 and the third-leading cause in those aged 15-24 in 2020 (CDC, 2021). Research has identified internalized homophobia/transphobia, victimization, and family and peer rejection as just some of the stressors LGBTQ+ youth face that may contribute to a greater risk of negative mental health and suicidality compared to their peers (de Lange et al., 2022; Fulginiti et al., 2021; Hall, 2018; Russell & Fish, 2016). The COVID-19 pandemic has also potentially exacerbated mental health disparities for LGBTQ+ populations (Salerno et al., 2020), but also increased accessibility to mental healthcare through the widespread use of telehealth (Busch et al., 2021). Another potentially significant stressor is the escalating anti-LGBTQ+ political climate affecting the mental health of LBGTQ+ populations across the country (Gleason et al., 2016; Gonzalez et al., 2018; Tebbe et al., 2022). Despite the challenges, research suggests that protective factors (e.g., social support and affirming spaces) are critical pathways that may be useful for improving access to mental healthcare (Fernandes et al., 2023; Fuller & Riggs, 2018; Puckett et al., 2019; Valente et al., 2020). Ultimately, LGBTQ+ mental health disparities are pervasive, and we seek to understand how to effectively address these disparities across the lifespan. The overarching aim of this study is to gather unique perspectives of community informants and mental health providers on their experiences with mental healthcare in Virginia. The qualitative study is also designed to understand how LGBTQ+ populations across Virginia access mental healthcare in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and a national increase in anti-LGBTQ legislation (ACLU, 2023; Nicola et al., 2020). In partnership with Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBHDS), 20 community informants (non-profit leadership, educators, etc.), 14 mental health providers who provided services to LGBTQ+ populations, and 18 LGBTQ+ individuals who had previously or currently received mental health services were interviewed in focus groups and individual interviews from across Virginia during September 2022 to June 2023. A reflexive thematic analysis approach will be applied to focus on patterns that may arise related to the broad concept of access to mental healthcare in Virginia for LGBTQ+ populations (Braun & Clarke, 2022). Preliminary qualitative analyses indicate significant gaps in mental healthcare access, including limited mental health services catered to youth or individuals seeking gender-affirming care. Analyses also suggest that challenges accessing mental healthcare were also exacerbated when basic needs were not met or when holding multiple marginalized identities, such as finding mental health providers for individuals with limited English proficiency. Results will be presented in themes relevant to youth and adult populations. Conclusions will include recommendations derived from these themes, which can inform future policy and community efforts to improve access to mental healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals and ultimately reduce LGBTQ+ mental health disparities.

Author information

Author	Role
Chariz Seijo, Virginia Commonwealth University	Presenting author
Kevin Allison, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States	Non-presenting author

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