Health: How is Your Mental Health?
The past few weeks has seen Brian McCook, more popularly known as RuPaul’s Drag Race alim Katya Zamolodchikova, grapple publicly with the state of his sobriety and mental health. The drag performer recently announced his withdrawal from the drag scene for the entirety of 2018 as he works on maintaining his own mental health.
Of course, McCook is just one of the many members of the LGBTQ community struggling with mental health problems. According to data compiled by The Trevor Project, LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth. They are also five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
The Trevor Project also notes that a national study showed that 40% of transgender adults have attempted suicide. Ninety-two percent of the transgender adults surveyed also say that they attempted suicide before the age of 25.
The statistics are sobering, and McCook’s situation shows that it’s not just LGBTQ youth who struggle with their mental health. It’s a very real problem that affects members of the LGBTQ community, whatever their age.
What we’d like to know is how all of you Adam4Adam readers maintain your mental health on a daily basis. How do you cope with being in a world that is hostile to LGBTQ people, on top of all the usual stress that comes with day to day life? What advice would you give to young people and other LGBTQ adults going through mental health problems? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis or needs immediate support, please contact The Trevor Project or It Gets Better.
I am blessed to live in an area with lots of trees and free-floating water. So I maintain my sanity by walking in the woods every day, meditating in Nature. I’ve done this daily.
Of course 40% of all “transgender” adults have attempted suicide. “Gender identity” was itself recognized as a mental illness before people with a lust for politically correct social justice decided to pressure society into accepting it. The real irony of it all is that they crave acceptance; yet, they don’t accept themselves – instead being in denial about it and deluding themselves into thinking that they can change biology by declaration alone… or, even worse: that they HAVE to change themselves to fit their identity because what they were born with isn’t good enough for it.
Yes, I can already hear the torches, pitchforks and words ending in “-ist.” I honestly don’t care; someone had to say it.
But, as Whitney Houston once sang: learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. You are doomed to mental instability without it.
BINGO, Loving yourself!!!!
I agree bro, b4 ppl take a chance to know themselves and loving who they are they wanna go remove their breast or penis to change their sex which is a perfectly healthy part of themselves but let them Go tell a doctor they wanna remove a healthy arm or leg they would be confined at a mental institution, how we bring our kids up and what we teach them is significantly important and this society is making it easy for them to get away with alot instead of seeking mental health help and figuring out what their actual issues are, its like feeding a kid all the candy he wants and asking why at the age of 16 is he diabetic.
My granny is a tranny and I think you’re right.
As a closeted gay male, I find it extremely difficult to reach out about my mental health. I feel a root cause of my anxiety and depression are connected to the fact of living in hiding all the time. I have made good friends in the LGBTQIA community and that has helped a ton. One thing I do when I feel anxious or depressed it to confront myself on what’s happening in that moment and try to soberly handle the situation. I also turn to art. Work on art that you love! Lastly, I have heard keeping a journal is great. I need to try this.
Only love, Blue
I’d like to comment on this mean mental health subject
For me
it’s been in question the last three here especially for my mental health as I have dealt with a lot the past six years Esp since my fathers early death
but there’s times I am depressed . I can say that I’ve never really ever thought suicide
But i have often wondered about what life would be like without being alive here on this planet
-my father suffered from manic depression for 30 years at least he was diagnosed with it at the age of 35
He died at 60 -6years ago
I wouldn’t dare say that being bisexual has ever driven me to think like this or have mental health issues due to my sexuality
– I have to say coping with exes of mine or guys that I’ve dated between a boyfriend but then being single the last decade since my last ex it was my longest relationship
It is the only person I remain in contact after that relationship ended
It has been really hard –
I would like to find another guy to be with spend the rest my life with the possible I’ve always enjoyed having a boyfriend I’m really excited as far as marriage now being available I would like to have that with another man if I could have that possibly one day soonI
I have got so much going on with many people in my life
Currently
my mother right now is not doing very good as she has been diagnosed with liver disease , since Sept (2017)of this past year ….we’ve been dealing with that for the past four months and it’s an absolute fucking nightmare
But what I will say is that I myself have never really questioned my mental health over my sexuality
I will say this ….that at the age of 25 …
I come to the conclusion that I had an attraction to other men ,so I can only imagine what it’s like for people that are LGBTQ and being harassed or hated upon or otherwise -especially because of that
– it’s hard enough being human let alone people hating you for your attractions and your sexuality
-I would like to find another guy to be with & spend the rest my life with- if possible
I’ve always enjoyed having a boyfriend
I’m really excited as far as marriage now being available
For two guys
I would like to have that with another man if I could have but one day soon
But I would say if anything I’ve learned especially watching my dad another family struggle depression and especially if it has anything to do with your sexuality you should just embrace you be who you are never let anybody make you feel bad because of what your attractions or otherwise feelings are about sexual proclivities or otherwise and just live life and find someone you could be happy with
It’s a very real problem that affects massive numbers of people. It shows no preference for sexuality or age.
Gay men suffer from various mental illness issues far more than the incidence in the general population. Bisexual men, are even more cursed with Panic/Anxiety Disorder than are gay men, but have far less incidence if substance abuse problems. Consult the APA for the stats. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt, ya know. There’s a solid reason that, before the moniker “gay” started circulation in the late 1960s, “polite” society would refer to gay men simply as being “nervous.”
Didn’t know about that “nervous” thing. Never expected to learn from these comments, thanks!
Begin a voyage of self discovery, wherein you can begin to tap into the amazing manifesting powers that you possess within you and create a life in which all that you imagine for yourself becomes a present fact. For the first time, explore the region of your highest self; and realize how you can truly change your concept of yourself, embark upon a way of living, and fulfill the spiritual truth that all things are possible-and “all things” means that nothing is left out.
I’ve been pretty lucky. Yes, there is an occasional down day or two, but never long lasting. Perhaps, self acceptance has come with age. Also, being able to live through tough times has boosted my confidence. Knowing I’ve “beat the odds” several times assures me that the future is as bright as I choose to make it. A few good friends are also so important to living a meaningful life along with caring/being involved with others less fortunate has given me a better perspective on life’s ups and downs.
I’m Crazy…….that was easy.
Try living your life for yourself. It is amazing how much better you will feel when you stop giving a crap what others think your life should be like, or how you should be in life.
“To thine own self be true”
From a monologue delivered by the character Polonius in Act I Scene III of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
I married my partner of 34 years last year. Management of my mental health is a love for metal, as in cars. Were active in car shows, restoring, and enjoying the classics, as well as newer cars. I get out in the garage and tinker around when I’m stressed out, but suicide never crossed my mind. My heart and love go out to the many that have attempted, and to the souls that have committed The act. Listen to someone if you suspect mental stress. A big hug might help too.
Because I do not swallow hook, line, and sinker that being gay makes me a victim, my mental health is quite good. The media like to tell people they are being victimized RATHER THAN telling people how to empower themselves positively and peacefully. Instead we hear “you’re a victim” and “you should be angry” and “you must fight” all of which is negative and produces negative affect which in turn DOES impact psychological health. Gay men need to clue in and stop believing they are victims. Stop listening to the bullshit.
Now, here’s a worthwhile subject. Very candidly I will say, had quite a time in the corp., world as an openly gay African Amer., (double-whammy, right?) which led to a few terrible bouts of depression-one failed suicide attempt. It’s actually one of those things that our beloved country is to some degree, in denial about, its that stigma of all kinds of “Minority-People”= anyone not the majority. It wasn’t until Obama’s Presidency, that I realized, “its not me that’s really ill, its the illness of fear- hate, that has to do with the majority= not homo, not Anglo either, ok. Now, gay folk are not getting a pass on this either, as again, Anglo-gays are some of the most racist mother-fuckers as well, ok, pardon the strong language, lol, its just ridiculous, really; those whom are hated among their own ethnicity, doing the same thing to others whom not of their ethnicity (where’s the empathy), oh, and lets not even mention the exploiters (fuck my white-ass like the animal you are), how twisted is that! Aw man, they exist. As I began educating myself about the real America, since this is my country, too; I developed a very real understanding of it’s contradictions and realized, there is a real palpable strain of pathology at work here (pathological) genetics, largely. See, my mistake was to trust my country, that if I attempted to “homogenize” myself, ’cause just being me wasn’t good enough, right, lol, ’cause I knew I possess intelligence (which is actually frightening for white America) just work your ass off for what you want, be honest (even though the world at large is not, at all). It’s about being different, not harmful, just different. Depression is something I’m going to have to live with, see, its the pain of having to walk among my fellow Americans, gay and otherwise; hated, despised, and feared, as though I’m a criminal. I came from slaves whom were stolen by criminals. My homosexuality? Well, considering the over-populous of our world period, I’d say mother nature, knows what she’s doing, its a matter of “checks and balance” she’s like a good mother who knows you better than you know yourself and what you’ll do, man on the other hand, ha!
More of the same, lame blame game. YAWN
Personally as a bisexual DL 26 year old man living in south America Guyana my society have a low tolerance for lgbtq because of most of their behavior but personally I have been brought up in a loving and religious home also I can honestly say I have never suffered from mental health, when I’m stressed I take a walk on the sea wall at night and enjoy the cool breeze, surround myself with positive minded ppl and keep negative ppl away or toxic ppl away, have alot of self love and cater to yourself also keep my personal love life to myself, personally its no ones business but my own who I go to bed with and how I spend my personal time. I try to live a healthy clean life, I would recommend individuals who r in conflict with their sexuality to seek help if its unbearable or if its bearable come to grips with yourself and be comfortable with who u r and surround yourself with good ppl and not toxic judgmental individuals who brings you discomfort.
Music and walks are two avenues I like to stroll when depressed. If severely, I’ll take a nap… When I was younger I’d played the clarinet, bassoon, and piano, then depression struck and I lost interest. I wish I could regain what I once had but alas it is now lost to the sands of time. I have hope however, and despite suicide attempts I strive to educate myself on my disease (bipolar) with books, counseling, medication, and support groups. Yeah, it’s a lot, but it can otherwise take its toll. So for the little things, a bit of music can help reflect a mood. Oh, and I forgot journaling. Let’s make it three then.