Your Amazing Mind

LGBTQ+ & Mental Health feat. Ruth's story and Dr Myles-Jay Linton

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Episode notes

Did you grow up feeling different maybe bullied, rejected, having to search for role models and representation?

In this episode hear Ruth’s open and reflective experience of how she explored sexuality, gender and identity, and the impact that feelings of difference can have on mental health, before Dr Myles-Jay Linton (Young People's Mental Health expert) is joined by host Michael, and Ruth to, share and compare experiences from their unique perspectives.

The LGBTQ+ community is more likely to develop mental health issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem and more. Being LGBTQ+ does not cause these issues. Things like stigma and discrimination, isolation, having to navigate coming out, challenging home environments and much more can cause and worsen mental health issues. Intersections of LGBTQ+ can create further issues when individuals experience further discrimination, marginalisation and oppression. Learning to have a healthy relationship with our sexuality and identify, to manage and reduce feelings of shame, to feel empowered and proud, and to find a rich community to belong, to are some ways we can improve our wellbeing and mental health.

Resources

For information on mental health and the LGBTQ+ Community, checkout Stonewall

Find LGBTQ+ specific mental health services through Mind

If you're a student at the University of Bristol you can request support here

For 24 hour support from the Samaritans: call 116 123 for free, or visit Samaritans.org

Dr Myles-Jay Linton - @Myles_Wellbeing

Host Michael Pearson: Twitter @YAM_Pod / Insta yam_pod

An 18Sixty Production for the University of Bristol

Producer: Rowan Bishop