“At the time, an incredible stigma still dogged LGBTQ Americans, despite a push for social change prompted by such incidents as the Stonewall riots in 1969 in New York City. In that era, it was very common to lose friends and become estranged from family, and that social loss can impact LGBTQ adults for years, leading to physical and emotional decline.”
“LGBTQ older adults, likely due to the long-existing history of criminalization and stigmatization and the lack of perceived social support, are in a more vulnerable condition... A study revealed that interacting with pets was associated with higher levels of perceived social support, which has both direct and indirect effects on older adults’ physical and mental health (Muraco et al., 2018).”
“"LGBTQ elders face heightened isolation, oftentimes being forced to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity inside nursing homes or care facilities, which our Project Reclamation homes enthusiastically welcome and uplift," Daly continued. "Older adults themselves face stigma, and those living with severe behavioral health challenges have even deeper incidences of stigma.”
“The percentage of LGBTQ older adults with self-reported symptoms of depression increased to 13.5%, almost 3 times more than during the pre-pandemic experience.
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These disparities can be understood as a consequence of minority stress from multiple negative experiences and traumas encountered over the course of their lifetime, for example, stigma, discrimination, sexism, heterosexism, and rejection from family, etc.”
“Our research confirms that a higher prevalence of substance use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults can continue into later life. Similar to LGBTQ adolescents and young adults, such prevalence may be related to stressors like discrimination and stigma based on sexual orientation in addition to stressors related to aging, including social isolation and age-related stigma,” said Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care and the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health.
“Corktown’s therapists make sure that the younger people we treat embrace their identity and treat any mental and emotional issues they are facing. It’s critical to validate each person’s experiences and emotions, and make sure they know they are not alone. It’s also very important for medical professionals to work with the families of these young people to help cultivate a more positive relationship, especially in cases of transgender youths.”
Since her initial diagnosis during the 1960’s, Brenda sought treatment for her bipolar disorder but kept it a secret for over 50 years. “Mental health stigma is something that causes fear, mistrust, or disgust, and it keeps people from accepting something or someone. Fortunately, those who don’t or won’t understand mental illness are fewer and fewer every day.” Click the title to access her full interview with Deconstructing Stigma.
A shareable graphic for social media, websites, and beyond. “Many LGBT people—particularly youth and seniors—experience higher rates of rejection, bullying, harassment, general mistreatment and even violence from the people and institutions that should be protecting them,” says Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. “The enormous effort of… hiding in order to avoid rejection from their families, employers, churches, schools, friends and neighbors can create an even greater sense of anxiety, fear and isolation.”
