The month of June has been dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. This is a time where inclusion, acceptance, and expression of oneself are all emphasized and flaunted. Fun, colorful, vibrant celebrations, outfits, and parades take place nationwide during this month.
As a society we have made great strides since the Stonewall Uprising which was the very incident that initiated marches in support of the community and equal rights that then blossomed into pride celebrations throughout the month of June. It is significant to consider that the younger members of the LGBTQIA+ community are experiencing a different reality than previous generations, even when there are unique challenges endured by most that are associated with being LGBTQIA+ in college.
The support of our society during this time becomes very apparent from the first day of the month when companies change their logos to include the rainbow flag. Whole clothing lines are created plastered with the rainbow flag. Certain products are even rebranded to broadcast the colors that reflect the spectrum of human sexuality and gender as well as the diversity of members within the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether they are genuine or not, these gestures are far more positive than the previous outwardly homophobic undertones many of the leading institutions in our country projected in campaigns and advertisements that reflected their social beliefs. These efforts can be appreciated by members of this community that are immersed in the community and frequently exposed to pop culture hot topics, like college students who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Utah.
While it is important to celebrate all that the LGBTQIA+ community has overcome, we can not neglect the fact that many still struggle deeply with their sexual orientation, coming out, being accepted, facing discrimination or hate, abuse, trauma, and self expression as a result of who they are and how they identify.
So many people are marginalized and the LGBTQIA+ community particularly face a lot of pushback and rejection in response to their pleas for equality. It is important that we shed light on all of the turmoil that all of the members of this community face as they are typically ignored or minimized. Within this community, some members, especially college students, are in positions that may result in limited availability of resources or less support that can make unfavorable experiences even more difficult to cope with.
How does being LGBTQIA+ affect college students?
During college the desire to achieve at a higher level in a more challenging environment while simultaneously gaining freedom and exploring life independently tends to leave many college students finding themselves lost or overwhelmed. This complex time can be very rewarding but at the same time has the potential to induce negative mental health outcomes along with many other problems.
College is a strenuous time for all students however the issues faced by students during this time of transitions and adaptation is exacerbated by the adversities faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community in this setting. If you are struggling to maintain your mental health in college, read our blog “How To Mentally Prepare For Going Back To College.”
Why is it important to discuss LGBTQIA+ identity in college?
It is crucial to shed light on the unique experiences of this group as a way to promote awareness and negate ignorance. The stigmatization of the community has resulted in the silencing of personal accounts that as a society we can learn from and use to discourage certain behaviors and inspire positive change moving forward.
On some college campuses, students may be faced with ill-informed staff who are enforcing policies that do not have the best interests of the students' well-being in mind. This negatively impacts all students on many different levels; however, LQBTQIA+ identifying student populations especially find themselves facing obstacles.
LGBTQIA+ students may face the following issues in college:
Inability to access resources
Difficulty seeking mental health counseling
Trouble receiving accommodations
Hard time reporting incidents (e.g., not being believed when they go to report an event)
Not receiving equal treatment
When LGBTQIA+ students go out of their way to seek out support, they may run into issues that their peers typically do not, especially when outcomes historically have been more severe for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
LGBTQIA+ Adults in Media
Possible spoilers ahead!
In pop culture there are some references that shed light on what LGBTQIA college students go through.
Some examples of LGBTQIA+ young adults in the media include the following:
In The Sex Lives of College Girls, the character Leighton Murray is a closeted lesbian, and in the show is seen having secret hookups and pretending to like guys when her roommates bring it up.
Another example is in the show Dear White People which explores the experiences of college students with intersecting identities as it highlights both race and sexuality with a main character that is navigating being black and gay.
The Magicians' Elliot Vaughn is gay and can be seen having a love interest in the show.
In the spinoff college seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the character Willow comes out and has a girlfriend.
There are also many books about coming out in college and the anecdotes about being LGBTQIA+ on a college campus.
Even popular TikTok influencers speak on their experience of being LGBTQIA+ in college and post “story times” where they recall certain memories or recent incidents that they lived through.
Sedona Prince is a lesbian basketball player who has spoken out about her experience, especially with dating.
Zach Willmore went viral for documenting what it was like to rush frats and be involved with the college party scene while being gay. More recently he has been talking about his journey with HIV as he just got a diagnosis and is spreading valuable information regarding that.
Normalization of these experiences in the media that we consume is important because it brings attention to the experiences of so many people that often are ignored. Flooding media with stories can provide so many college aged people with someone to look up to and let them know that their struggle is not unseen and others have been where they are and made it through. Even when they feel that the system is not in their favor and they have no support, they can see their favorite character on television or TikToker, and have hope that things will change for the better.
What are some common mental health struggles of the LGBTQIA+ youth?
Self esteem issues
Suppression of one's personal identity and forcing oneself to blend in with those surrounding them tends to leave these students lacking self confidence. Masking sexuality results in further marginalization and creates stress about self expression. In the college setting, students often feel that they need to be strategic when deciding whether, whom, when, and how they communicate their sexual identity to people they encounter. This is an experience that is unique to LGBTQIA+ members and members in college specifically are often met with unwelcomed opinions and mockery like the sentiment that any unique sexual identity in college is “just a phase” and “will pass”' when this is very rarely the case. For more support, check out our blog “Does Coming Out As LGBTQ Ever End?”.
Depression
Depression can be described as a persistent low or sad mood and lack of motivation and/or interest in things that once were pleasurable that interfere with daily functioning. An overwhelming 71% of LGBTQIA+ members in this age group report experiencing depression for 14 days or more out of the year. For this age cohort, those who identify as part of the LGBQTIA community are three times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than their counterparts. One of the main reasons for such drastic discrepancies in experiences between groups is that harassment and bullying are common experiences for LBGTQIA+ students in college which often leads to negative mental health effects like depression and anxiety. For more information about support and getting help, check out our blog “4 Ways to Naturally Treat Depression”.
Anxiety
As stated above a lot of students experience anxiety as a result of negative social experiences within the college atmosphere which can already be an anxiety inducing setting to begin with. Sometimes these experiences are so egregious, along with intense stigma and discrimination, that a hostile environment is created for the LGBTQIA+ students which makes it hard for them to engage socially and academically. When anxiety is not coped with properly, it can really restrict what someone is able to do and how they function daily. If you are a college student struggling with anxiety, our blog “How Can CBT Help College Students Struggling With Anxiety?” is a must-read.
Substance abuse and addiction
In college, if someone does not have the proper support or resources there are a lot of negative outlets that can tend to be relied on for coping. Drug and alcohol use is very prevalent in college and typically abused to some degree. It is easily accessible and mainstream to use substances in excess on a daily basis in this setting. While these substances are being promoted and used dangerously, there is a lack of awareness and deterrence of these practices which makes a lot of students in college feel that they have to do it in order to fit in. It is important to know that there are many coping mechanisms and ways to improve your circumstances that do not require taking potentially harmful substances. If you are interested in learning more about substance abuse in college, read our blog “The Connection Between Binge Drinking in College and Mental Health.”
Additional mental health struggles that LGBTQIA+ college students may face include…
Family rejection and conflict
Lower grades
Medical discrimination
Abuse
Trauma
Difficulties socializing with peers (isolation)
Withdrawal from school for an extended period of time or dropping out completely
Identity crises
How can Anchor Therapy Help LGBTQIA+ Clients?
If you are experiencing any of the challenges stated above or any issues pertaining to your sexual or gender identity that you think can be appropriately relieved through LGBTQIA+ counseling, Anchor Therapy has many resources available including LQBTQIA+ affirmative therapy and LQBTQIA+ friendly therapists.
Our practice is equipped with the resources and personnel to provide LGBTQIA+ counseling. We offer counseling specializing in LBGTQIA+ specific areas.
Anchor Therapy’s fully-licensed clinicians are trained to deal with LGBTQIA+ specific issues, such as:
Gender identity (Check out our blog “What You Need To Know To Find A Gender-Affirming Therapist” for more information)
Coming out
Couples counseling (Read our blog “How LGBTQIA+ Couples Counseling Is Unique” to see how our therapists approach LGBTQIA+ couples therapy)
Polyamorous relationships
Sexuality/sexual orientation
Sexual concerns
Intimacy issues
Gender reassignment surgery
Family planning
Trauma (Read “Your Ultimate Guide To Overcoming Trauma At College” for support)
And more!
If you feel that you need an outlet or if you are having difficulties accessing resources on your own, please feel free to reach out to us today to schedule an intake session with one of our LGBTQIA+ therapists. Fill out the Contact Form on our website to schedule a session. We also provide blogs that feature narratives and insight that may provide solace and be a way to feel more connected to your community and less alone. There are many resources available that you can be connected with.
Now that we know about the mental health issues that LGBTQIA+ college students face, how can we support them?
Finding support outlets on college campuses is not always an easy task, as a society there are ways that we can show our support through small efforts that can make a big difference.
Here are some popular ways to support the LGBTQIA+ community:
If you are a college student yourself, you can start support organizations at your school.
Be a proud and vocal ally. Read our blog “How To Support Your LGBTQIA+ Family Member And Become An Ally” for more information.
Take an active stance against homophobia.
Advocate for the integration of LGBTQIA+ topics into curriculums to get discussions and awareness started.
Create safe spaces.
Promote and advocate for clear non-discrimination policies from university administration.
Advocate for gender inclusive housing and restrooms.
LGBTQIA+ specific health care options.
Insist on sensitive campus safety training and protocols.
Make LGBTQIA+ mental health counseling options well known and easily accessible.
We need to remember to celebrate pride year-round and carry the same energy that is expressed during June through the rest of the months. Doing so will ensure that our society, as a whole, will embrace the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate all that they have overcome and will continue to overcome in order to avoid the possible negative outcomes that members often face. Members of the LGBTQIA+ group do not only need support during this one month, and we need to push to make sure that legislation and policies nationwide reflect the same support we are able to express in this one month of pride.
If you or someone you know is struggling with being a LGBTQIA+ identifying college student, consider all of your options and what has been stated above, then evaluate what would work best for you. Above all, be part of the solution!
Grace Anderson
is an Intern at Anchor Therapy. She is an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware studying Human Services with a minor in Psychology. She is looking to pursue a graduate degree in Social Work upon graduating undergrad.
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