Mental healthcare for young and adolescent LGBTQ+ individuals in the Indian subcontinent

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a significant change in the way healthcare is dispensed. During the pandemic, healthcare inequities were experienced by various sections of society, based on gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The LGBTQ individuals were also affected by this inequity. There is a lack of information on this topic especially in the developing countries. Hence this issue requires further exploration and understanding. Previous literature briefly explored the mental, physical, and emotional turmoil faced by the LGBTQ community on a regular basis. They feared rejection by family and friends, bullying, physical assault, and religious biases. These issues prevented them from publicly speaking about their sexual orientation thereby making it difficult to collect reliable data. Although they require medical and psychological treatment, they are afraid to ask for help and access healthcare and mental health services. Being mindful of these difficulties, this article explores the various underlying causes of the mental health problems faced by LGBTQ individuals, especially, in the Indian subcontinent. The article also examines the status of healthcare services available to Indian sexual minorities and provides recommendations about possible remedial measures to ensure the well-being of LGBTQ individuals.

Neglected gaps in improving the health, wellbeing, and care for sexual and gender minority young people living in low- and lower-middle- income countries: a scoping review

“…The 79 included papers drew primarily from data collected in East Asia and the Pacific ( n = 28, 35.44%) [ 23 , 24 , 33 , 35 , 39 , 45 , 46 , 51 , 52 , 58 – 62 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 75 – 84 ], Sub-Saharan Africa ( n = 25, 31.65%) [ 26 – 31 , 38 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 50 , 63 , 66 , 71 , 85 – 95 ], and South Asia ( n = 20, 25.32%) [ 25 , 32 , 34 , 40 , 42 , 49 , 53 , 54 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 64 , 65 , 69 , 73 , 74 , 96 – 99 ] (see Fig. 2 ).…”

“…Only three publications drew from studies conducted in low-income countries, all in Uganda [ 48 , 86 , 88 ]. Seventy-three papers described studies conducted, at least in part, in lower-middle-income countries, with the most from India ( n = 12, 15.19%) [ 32 , 34 , 40 , 49 , 53 , 56 , 64 , 65 , 74 , 97 – 99 ], the Philippines ( n = 10, 12.66%) [ 23 , 35 , 58 – 62 , 68 , 75 , 81 ], and Vietnam ( n = 10, 12.66%) [ 24 , 33 , 39 , 46 , 67 , 70 , 72 , 77 , 82 , 84 ]. Three papers were global in scope [ 16 , 55 , 100 ].…”

“…Only two of the 79 included papers (2.53%) were experimental and included a randomized intervention and control group [ 39 , 74 ]. The remaining six papers (7.60%) were reviews (scoping and literature) that included and/or focused on SGM young people [ 16 , 31 , 51 , 55 , 65 , 100 ]. There were no longitudinal studies.…”

Exploring LGBTQ+ equality in India: A comprehensive examination from anthropological and legal perspectives

“…LGBTQ+ youth, especially those from conservative or unsupportive family environments, often face homelessness or psychological distress due to societal rejection. Access to healthcare services, including mental health support tailored to the LGBTQ+ community, remains inadequate in many regions (Gaur et al, 2023).…”

Health Equity in Rheumatology: A Global Health Perspective

“…Educational materials often have biased representations of LGBTQ+ patients, which may contribute to social stigma. 23 A systematic review revealed significant implicit bias among medical, dental and nursing students in their interactions with LGBTQ+ patients. 24 LGBTQ+ patients, in a recent study described their interactions with healthcare providers as transactional, and experienced a sense of power imbalance in the healthcare system.…”