Depression in LGBT community must be considered in nat’l mental health response - SASOD

Depression in LGBT community must be considered in nat’l mental health response – SASOD

Aug 30, 2015 News

As Guyana moves forward in tackling its suicide epidemic, depression facing members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community must be considered in the crafting of a national mental health response.
This is according to the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) which stressed the need to lessen the gaps in Guyana’s mental health approach following the recent screening of a documentary on depressed gay Black men.
The screening of acclaimed documentary “You Are Not Alone” was hosted by SASOD in partnership with the Depressed Black Gay Men (DGGM) Inc. along with support from United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Advancing Partnerships and Communities Project.
The underlying factors of depression, including its link to stigma-fuelled discrimination, were high on the agenda during the documentary’s screening. These factors included culture and, more specifically, discrimination of persons based on their sexual identity or sexual orientations. Additionally, it was noted that issues facing LGBT persons in other countries were similarly affecting those in Guyana.
“Of particular significance is the prevalence of religiously-fueled homophobia against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Guyanese who, because of these vulnerabilities, are more susceptible to mental health stressors than their heterosexual counterparts,” SASOD said before adding, “It is necessary to include and address these specific issues in the national response to mental health in Guyana.”
Guyana’s struggle with suicide is not unknown; according to a 2014 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, Guyana has the highest suicide rate per capita with an estimated 44 suicides per 100,000 people. SASOD noted that the number of suicides committed by persons struggling with acceptance of their sexual identity and orientation is unknown.
Meanwhile, the screening of “You Are Not Alone” was well received. The 2012 documentary is directed by Stanley Clay and takes a look at depression in gay Black men.
The film does not only touch on depression but also takes a look and other factors such as alcoholism and drug abuse and sexually risky behaviour as forms of passive and active suicide i.e drinking poison, hanging, shooting or cutting oneself.
“The film reveals aspects of society’s dark underbelly, exposing some of the most pernicious and destructive issues in many families and communities, including the denial of a person’s sexual identity and orientation, sexual abuse and trauma, religiously-influenced homophobia, discrimination, stigma and ostracism,” SASOD said.
However, the screening was not only focused on watching the documentary. Following the screening, DBGM founder Antoine Craigwell engaged in a post-screening discussion with the patrons. Craigwell is also the executive producer of the documentary.
According to SASOD, a number of topics were discussed, including the effects non-acceptance or rejection have on LGBT persons.
It was noted that this rejection, particularly from family members, can often lead to depression and eventually suicide.
Additionally, the issue of religion, which was noted to be a cause of discrimination, along with childhood sexual abuse was raised as contributing factors. It was also noted that there was the need to discuss the myth that child sexual abuse leads to homosexuality among male survivors especially.
Coming out of the discussion were several recommendations.
These included the urgent need for more trained professional counselors, psychologists, and social workers who understand the cultural and ethnic dynamics of mental health in Guyana, and more community engagement and education on depression, suicide and other mental health issues. Craigwell stressed that families can become actively involved in suicide prevention when communities as a whole become informed and educated.
These recommendations were similarly raised by the non-governmental organisation, The Caribbean Voice which recently hosted a conference on suicide and related issues.

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