LGBT Care

LGBT affirmative psychiatric care is essential for the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people. It is important to have a mental health provider who understands and affirmation your identity. When looking for a mental health provider, it is important to ask about their experience working with LGBTQIA+ clients.

Research has shown that LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience mental health issues than heterosexual and cisgender people. This is likely due to the discrimination and stigma that LGBTQIA+ people face. Mental health providers who are affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities can help reduce the impact of these negative experiences.

In NYS, over one million adults identify as LGBTQ+. An estimated 7.9% of the adult population identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or something else/other sexual orientation (LGBO), with 3.4% of NYS adults identifying as bisexual, 2.2% identifying as lesbian or gay, and 2.2% identifying as other sexual orientation.

• In New York State, an estimated 1 million adults, or 7.9% of the state's adult population, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other sexual orientation, excluding heterosexual (LGBO) and 0.5% identify as transgender or gender non-conforming.
• Percentages are higher among younger adults who are 18 to 24 years old, with 15.6% identifying as LGBO and 1.5% identifying as transgender or gender non-conforming.
• Indicators of health care access limitations, such as having no health care provider and having no health insurance, are experienced at higher rates among the LGBTQ+ adult population in comparison to the State's overall adult population.
• LGBO adults and transgender adults are more likely to report not having a regular health care provider (24.4% and 27.5%, respectively) compared to the general adult population (20.5%). LGBO and transgender adults are also more likely to report not having health insurance than the general population (14.3% and 18.9% vs. 12.3%).
• Compared to New York State's overall adult population, the occurrence of mental health conditions is more common among LGBTQ+ adults. While an estimated 12.3% of adults report frequent mental distress, the rate among LGBO adults is double, at 24.8%, and is even higher (30%) among transgender adults.
• Over 31% of LGBO adults and 37.8% of transgender adults report having been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, compared to only 16% of all New York adults.
• Approximately 22.9% of NY adults who identify as LGBO and 21.5% of NY adults who identify as transgender report binge or heaving drinking, compared to the state rate of 17.4%.
• LGBTQ+ adults represent a larger segment of demographic groups that are more likely to experience negative health outcomes due to social determinants and structural inequities. This includes adults without a high school education (10% LGBO, 1.3% transgender), adults living in households earning less than $25,000 a year (10% LGBO, 1.3% transgender), adults who are currently unemployed (11.7% LGBO, 1.3% transgender), adults living with disability (10.7% LGBO, 1% transgender), and adults who identify as Hispanic (10% LGBO, 0.9% transgender).
• Adults who identify as LGBO make up a higher percentage of residents in New York City (9.2%) compared to the rest of the state (7.0%).

These findings will directly impact the programming NYSDOH prioritizes in the year ahead. This includes the work of the Department's LGBT Health and Human Services (LGBT HHS) initiative, which aims to eliminate disparities in health care access by increasing the availability of quality health care services and supports for underserved populations.

If you are looking for a mental health provider, it is important to find one who will affirm your identity and provide you with the care you need.

Affirming care recognizes the significant impact of sexual/gender minority status on a person's health. Research demonstrates that gender-affirming care—medical and psychosocial health care designed to affirm individuals' gender identities—greatly improves the mental health and overall well-being of gender diverse, transgender, and nonbinary children and adolescents. LGBT.

We are an inclusive and affirming New York State Telehealth psychiatric practice allowing our clients a safe and accepted environment to receive the best quality of care.

The Bass Wellness Center of New York with Board Certified Nurse Practitioners in Psychiatry. Providing all NYC mental health services, holistic medicine, Psychotherapy and Telehealth Psychiatric Practice.

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