Every person is subject to mental health concerns, but there are unique mental health challenges among individuals within the LGBTQIA community. It’s important to know how to support these individuals in the best way possible.

Roger Hartline, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Pathways—the outpatient mental health program at Riverside Healthcare—provides helpful information on how to be a good ally.

Discrimination Sets Individuals Up for Failure

LGBTQIA adults face higher rates of mental health issues and higher rates of discrimination. This year, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that one-third of LGBTQIA adults have reported they felt unfairly treated by a healthcare provider.

“Anyone who works in this community or in this field needs to have their alarm bells ringing when they hear something like that, because that’s twice the rate of people who are outside of this community,” states Hartline.

Ally-Building Strategies

Hartline says the number-one strategy individuals can take to be an ally for the LGBTQIA community is to educate yourself—and never assume anything. Many resources are available online, from various organizations like the Trevor Project and Human Rights Campaign.

Specifically, healthcare providers also need to ensure when they’re working with an LGTBQIA individual they are asking questions pertinent to one’s care in a private setting. “If someone’s coming into a clinic and you have to ask them information to better understand how their body works, ask them those questions, but don’t do it in the lobby,” urges Hartline. “Do it in a private setting where they can share more openly. In the long run, that is going to help us treat them.”

Another good strategy is to try to understand if a person has previously felt uncomfortable during a medical visit, and why. This will help to avoid such a scenario going forward, and it also validates the person’s feelings. And, it’s imperative to consider how individuals of different cultures or socioeconomic statuses might be especially discriminated against.

“As providers, we have to continue to become more culturally competent across the board. We can’t expect anything to be one size fits all,” cautions Hartline. “We need to all continue to move forward. To try to learn more about other cultures and how things are different from our norms and values. Yet, at the same time, understand our own values and norms too.”

Know Thyself, Too

The most important thing Hartline wants people to remember is that two people can have wildly different experiences, even if they’re members of the same community. “Continue to check in with yourself. Be humble, ask yourself difficult questions, and take inventory of some of the bias you may personally have. Knowing yourself better is going to allow you to better care for other people.”

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