Supporting the LGBTQI community

The LGBTQI community is as brilliantly diverse as the rainbow flag would suggest and that
includes experiences of mental health

What do I need to know?

Though many LGBTQI people live happy, healthy lives, members of the LGBTQI community are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness as their heterosexual and cis-gendered peers.

It’s important to note that struggles with mental health are not caused by a person’s sexuality or gender identity. Rather, it is social factors, like experiences of homophobia and transphobia that put LGBTQI people at higher risk of experiencing mental illness or distress. 

How can a professional help me?

Although ‘LGBTQI’ people are often grouped together as one category, each letter of the LGBTQI alphabet represents a population with distinct and unique experiences.

Accessing a mental health professional with a strong understanding of the LGBTQI community not only ensures that you’ll be in a safe, supportive environment, but that you’ll be in the hands of a professional who is willing to hear and engage with the nuances of your experience.

It may be that you need a hand relating to some aspect of your sexuality or gender identity, or you may have any number of things going on in your life, and just want to make sure the professional you see acknowledges and celebrates your sexuality or gender identity.

How does therapy work?

Mental health professionals have a broad variety of techniques and tools they can use to support you to manage and treat mental illness or distress, and will work with you to create an effective treatment plan. Common approaches include developing strategies and skills to manage the symptoms of mental illness or distress and support to identify and address specific triggers or concerns.

That’s why we’ve put together this page to help you find and connect with LGBTQI-friendly mental health professionals. We also have a great selection of blogs exploring LGBTQI experiences of mental health if you’d like to learn more.

Latest LGBTQI Blogs

The Importance of Finding the Right Psychologist

Reaching out to find a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist can be one of the most important, and maybe even the hardest decision you've ever had to make. We recognise how challenging it can be to find the right mental health professional. It can, in some ways,...

How Do I Get a Mental Health Care Plan?

The decision to go on a mental health care plan is not always an easy one. Many of us avoid it because it would mean admitting something is wrong that we cannot fix ourselves. Perhaps finances are also a problem and the high cost of therapy sessions makes you soldier...

Same Sex Relationships & Couples Counselling

This article was contributed by Tal Schlosser, Director of myLife Psychologists. Sydney’s 41st Mardi Gras is only a few days away, and the city is awash with rainbows and glitter. This is a special time of year when we get to participate in this joyous and spectacular...