We caught up with two MQ ambassadors to discuss LGBTQIA+ mental health during Pride Month. James Downs is a mental health campaigner, who talks about his lived experience of eating disorders to encourage change. Coco offers emotional support and mental health awareness to their 12k followers through their page Talk to Coco.
Why it is so important to talk about mental health during Pride month?
James: In my eyes, it's important to talk about mental health all year round, but Pride month gives us an opportunity to address some of the unique concerns that face the LGBTQIA+ community when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.
I think it can be quite easy to think how far we have come in terms of the legal rights of LGBTQIA+ people and the kinds of attitudes we face, but there is still such a long way to go. It can be easy to think that because some people had it harder in the past, our present-day concerns are not valid or important, but they are.
Too many people still face experiences of bullying and discrimination which impact directly being able to feel an accepted, safe and valued member of society. This month gives us an opportunity to highlight how LGBTQIA+ mental health isn't removed from these experiences or from society as a whole - it is all of our business.
"It can be easy to think that because some people had it harder in the past, our present-day concerns are not valid or important, but they are."
Coco: We humans of the LGBTQIA+ community suffer enough, and it is all guaranteed we’ve all experienced hate and hardship and suffered from and with our mental health. And as someone diagnosed with a mental illness and as a non-binary black lesbian, it’s vital that my story is heard, by loads of other people just like me, and so our younger generation can see us openly speaking about it, normalising it.
As someone diagnosed with a mental illness and as a non-binary black lesbian, it’s vital that my story is heard, for loads of other people just like me, and so our younger generation can see us openly speaking about it, normalising it.
What would you say to someone who is LGBTQIA+ and struggling with their mental health?
Coco: I would say to them be patient with yourself and you're doing amazing, the road isn’t a road that has an ending. It’s almost like a never-ending journey which is so beautiful and amazing yet, some bumps that cause our mental health to have glitches.
But, keep going and one day you’ll get to the point where you blossom and feel such fulfilment and take a grasp of mental health, with the help of your support system and loved ones. For the ones that may feel they don’t have this, it’s ok... we create our chosen family within our community, and that’s another bonus to belonging.
James: It can be so difficult to struggle with your mental health, but it can be even more difficult to struggle in silence, even if the idea of reaching out to someone and talking about your mental health can seem overwhelming.
If you are LGBTQIA+ and struggling with your mental health and don't know where to turn in your personal life, I would encourage you to reach out to organisations that might be able to provide you information and support, such as Switchboard, or even just to listen. That can be a first - and hugely important - step to finding your way through a difficult time towards the help and support that all of us need and deserve - whatever our backgrounds.
What do you hope mental health research could achieve for the LGBTQIA+ community?
James: Research has a huge role in helping us to understand the determinants of mental health - what makes people struggle with different mental health conditions and what helps us to grow up and stay mentally well. Inclusive mental health research will help us to uncover what this looks like for different people from diverse backgrounds, including the LGBTQIA+ community.
I want to see research which not only looks at the risk factors which might make people like me more likely to struggle with conditions such as eating disorders, but also considers how I can receive care that respects me as an individual with my own unique needs.
Coco: Research could achieve the recognition for our resilience for building our own gateways to give ourselves and our community the support we need. That we do matter. It proves the effect society and people can have on our mental health - just for being free in our skin.
Want to help? Take part in research
If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and would like to play your part in creating a better future for mental health, take part in mental health research. We have a number of studies live on our Participate platform that you could get involved with, including:
