The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has long faced significant mental health disparities, largely attributed to a phenomenon known as “Minority Stress,” where discrimination and marginalization contribute to poorer mental health outcomes. Despite progress in social acceptance, these challenges persist, especially with the ongoing wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the United States. These laws, targeting transition-related care, restricting LGBTQ+ content in schools, and limiting sports participation for LGBTQ+ students, have worsened mental health for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth.
Recent surveys from SAMHSA and The Trevor Project confirm these trends. Over a third of LGBTQ+ youth report that their mental health has worsened due to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Additionally, LGBTQ+ adults continue to face higher rates of depression, suicide, substance use, and mental health disorders compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. The situation is especially dire for LGBTQ+ people of color, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and bisexual individuals, who are at higher risk for mental health and substance use issues. Furthermore, a majority of LGBTQ+ youth still report that their homes and schools are not affirming spaces, and many are unable to access necessary mental health care due to financial barriers.
In this session, we will review the latest data on LGBTQ+ mental health, drawing from national surveys and smaller studies. The session will discuss the most effective clinical approaches for treating this population, focusing on cultural competence, affirmative treatment strategies, and creating an inclusive clinical environment. We will also cover the proper evaluation of LGBTQ+ individuals in psychiatric treatment, addressing key concerns and considerations in providing care.
Finally, we will examine the sociopolitical factors influencing LGBTQ+ mental health, with a focus on the role psychiatry can play in supporting LGBTQ+ legislation and advocating for more supportive clinical and public environments. The session will conclude with an audience Q&A, allowing for further discussion on how mental health professionals can engage with and support the LGBTQ+ community in their practice.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.
This presentation was recorded at the 2024 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the component groups of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Explain at least 3 mental health disparities between LGBTQ+ people and their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts.
- Identify the state of LGBTQ+ mental health in 2023 and identify 3-5 contributing factors.
- Describe 3-5 specific clinical interventions to improve LGBTQ+ mental health.
- Identify 3-5 specific policy-based interventions to improve LGBTQ+ mental health.
Target Audience
Medical Students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1.0 hours
Begin Date: June 1, 2025
End Date: June 1, 2028
How to Earn Credit
Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Program Presenters
Program Planners
- Vishal Madaan, MD. Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director, APA.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
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Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
- The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
- Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
- Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
- Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
- Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
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