February provide NAMI on Campus High School Clubs the opportunity to highlight and support the LGBTQI+  (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexed) community.  

While all our communities face mental health challenges, LGBTQI+ community members often deal with more stigma and discrimination and can receive compromised care.  Recent research strongly suggests that members of this community are at a higher risk for experiencing mental health conditions — especially depression and anxiety disorders.

LGBTQI+ youth are at a greater risk for mental health conditions and suicidality. LGBTQI+ youth are more than twice as likely to report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness than their heterosexual peers. Transgender youth face further disparities as they are twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning youth.

Those we care about in the LGBTQI+ community — friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors — must confront stigma and prejudice based on their sexual orientation or gender identity while also dealing with the societal bias against mental health conditions.

 Families, friends, and allies play a critical role and can take action to be supportive. Here are a few ways you can support the LGBTQI+ community:

🤝 Respect Their Identity 

🏳️🌈 Create and Teach Awareness 

🧠 Support Them in Accessing Mental Health Resources 

👂 Listen and Be Compassionate