Why is Pride Month so important? LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique challenges that can negatively impact mental health. Here are 6 challenges many individuals face.
1. Young people can face mental health struggles if they don't have a supportive environment when coming out.
2. Some LGBTQIA+ individuals who come face rejection from family, friends or their faith community.
3. The LGBTQIA+ community often faces discrimination, verbal and physical abuse, all of which can be traumatic.
4. The rates of substance misuse are high in the LGBTQIA+ community since it is often used as a coping mechanism or form of self-medication.
5. LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults are at a 120% higher risk of homelessness due to family rejection or discrimination.
6. Suicide rates are much higher in the LGBTQIA+ community. High school students who identify as LGB are more than four times as likely to have attempted suicide. 40% of transgender adults have attempted suicide, compared to less than 5% of the general U.S. population.
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