On being a lesbian in the Mental Health System

Over the past 6 years I have come into contact with some 14 mental health professionals - some of their names I can't even remember, however for each one of them I can remember clearly their attitude towards my being a lesbian. In only 5 of them did I experience what seemed to be genuine acceptance. In the reactions of the other 9 I felt prejudice, disgust, fear, confusion and blatant bigotry. I even saw one psychiatrist who listed my being a lesbian as one of my "symptoms", and attempted to treat it along with my depression, as if he were unaware that since 1992 it has not been classified as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation.

Lesbians, like any other group of people, can and do suffer from mental health difficulties. These are compounded, or even caused, by living in a society which is hostile to lesbians. The Mental health system can be incredibly homophobic - presumptions of heterosexuality are rife, and although in 1992 the World Health Organisation stopped homosexuality being classified as a mental illness, many mental health professionals still treat it as such.

Homophobic abuse often starts at school, and a recent survey found that 61% of gays and lesbians under 18 had been harassed and 48% violently attached, because of their sexuality.

A disproportionate number of young lesbian women have self-harmed, compared to heterosexual young women, and 41% of young lesbians had attempted suicide.

Clearly, living in a homophobic society is detrimental to the health of lesbians and gay men. It is important to acknowledge that it is not BEING a lesbian which is bad for your mental health, but rather it is society's negative attitude to it. Lesbian and gay young people are more vulnerable to substance abuse, depression, failure at school, and homelessness - for instance 1 in 4 of the young adults living on the streets in the US identify themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual.

At the mental health day centre which I attend, I have had to listen to homophobic comments by other service users go unchallenged, and despite being "out" in every other area of my life, I fear coming out to other service users because of the things I have heard them say.

One in ten of the population are lesbian, gay or bisexual - that means that at least one in ten mental health service users are lesbian, gay or bisexual. We may not let you know that we are, but please be aware that we are around you, we deserve respect, and that homophobia is damaging to our mental health.

by Philippa Willitts

Picture of my lego clone!

Name :
Philippa Willitts (Pippa)

Email :
purple_pippa@yahoo.com