We live in a world where information is everywhere all the time. Social media, news sources and everyday conversations can become overwhelming, particularly when the messages are negative.
Anne Seibert, PsyD. (she/her), a clinical psychology fellow who practices within The MetroHealth Pride Network — a primary care and mental health provider for the LGBTQ+ community — says it’s important to protect your peace.
“When negative news has to do with who you are as a person, it can hurt even more,” Dr. Seibert said. “People in the LBGTQ+ community may face hate, violence or unfair treatment, and that can affect mental health.”
Research from Mental Health America shows that people are more often affected by bad news when they share something in common with the people in the story.
Dr. Seibert says it is important to find joy and spend time in places where you feel safe, accepted and you can be yourself.
“You deserve a life that feels happy and meaningful,” Dr. Seibert said.
How Stress Can Affect You
The stress you feel is real – and it can be unhealthy. Studies show that the people in the LGBTQ+ community often deal with higher levels of stress than cisgender individuals, specifically due to what theorists refer to as “minority stress.”
“It’s not [the same type of] stress like losing your job or typical life stresses. This is stress that can come from repeated exposure to prejudice, discrimination, and social stigma – chronically feeling like the world and other people want you to be different from who you are,” Dr. Seibert said. “Over time, that can affect your mental and physical health.” Some of the negative impacts of minority stress can include depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and even hypertension and heart disease.
Some people may always feel the need to stay alert in public places or in interactions with others. Others may avoid public bathrooms because they do not feel safe. While these actions are understandable given people’s negative experiences, they can cause people’s lives to become less and less satisfying – leading to increased feelings of isolation and even hopelessness.
Symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and overthinking are common. Some people get so used to feeling stressed that they may not realize how much it is affecting them.
That’s why it’s important to get help from professionals who listen and share lived experiences with you. The MetroHealth Pride Network is a safe and supportive place that offers therapy, support groups, and psychiatry services by providers who have special training to work with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.
Ways to Feel More Like Yourself
Therapy can help individuals manage difficult emotions and learn healthy ways to handle difficult times. The Pride Network can refer you to outpatient therapists at MetroHealth or to community practices with LGBTQ+ staff.
You may want professional help if:
- You feel down, depressed, hopeless, or anxious for most of the time for two weeks or longer.
- Your emotions and habits make it difficult to live how you want to at home, work, school, or in your relationships.
- You feel stuck in cycles of overthinking. You are thinking that you would be better off dead or frequently considering suicide (call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department — MetroHealth has Emergency Departments at Main Campus, Cleveland Heights, Brecksville and Parma.)
There are other ways to support your mental health:
- Be choosy about the news you take in. Choose a news source you trust, such as The Buckeye Flame or Trans Ohio.
- Limit your time on social media. It’s called “doom scrolling” for a reason.
- Get involved in advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and other issues you care about. When people see evidence that they’ve taken action to make what they are worried about better, it can calm the body’s response to stress.
- Exercise. Mental and physical health are linked.
- Be social with other people who have similar life experiences and identities to your own. Being around people who understand you can boost your mood.
About The MetroHealth Pride Network
The MetroHealth Pride Network offers primary care for adults and children and gender-affirming care for adults. While people in the LGBTQ+ community have similar routine healthcare needs as cisgender or heterosexual people, providers in the MetroHealth Pride Network have specialized training and experience related to sexuality and gender. To schedule an appointment, call 216-My-Metro or schedule online.
Pride Network providers can be found in four MetroHealth locations – Brooklyn, Brecksville, West Park and Cleveland Heights. Learn more at metrohealth.org/pride.
Know an LGBTQ+ Ohio story we should cover? TELL US!
Submit a story!
