The mental health of the LGBTQ+ Asian population has some issues that can be quite problematic. Chicago prides itself on diversity, but numerous members of the Filipino and South Asian LGBTQ+ community have to deal with the meshing of their cultural and sexual identities. This collage of identities often results in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, which is why culturally knowledgeable therapists are a necessity.

Specific Issues for LGBTQ+ Asians

Cultural Stigma and Family Expectations

With Asian ethnic backgrounds, the family and cultural environment is one of the defining factors in their mental health. Both Filipino and South Asian cultures have a deep-rooted emphasis on family honor and fulfilling roles associated with their gender.

Such expectations can make the process of coming out painfully difficult for a lot of people, as there is a huge risk of being abandoned, bashed, or completely cut off from the family. If that wasn’t bad enough, having to blindly follow social and cultural standards can lead to self-hate, low self-esteem, and endless guilt, resulting in negatively damaging mental health.

Religious and Spiritual Conflicts

Spiritual beliefs may blend further to deepen the challenge. A number of Filipino families and South Asians come from highly religious cultures that may not fully accept homosexuality as part of their belief systems. Those who identify as LGBTQ+ are frequently torn with the idea of embracing who they truly wish to be while upholding their cultural and spiritual philosophies.

Such an internal conflict can lead to anxiety and emotional turmoil, making it all the more essential for these individuals to get help from therapists who appreciate and understand these particular challenges.

Discrimination and Minority Stress

In Chicago, discrimination and minority stress add another layer of difficulty to the mental health of LGBTQ+ Asians. A lot of people face challenges of racism in LGBTQ+ spaces and homophobia from their ethnic groups, which makes them socially alienated. This can bring feelings of depression, PTSD, chronic stress, and other issues that make it difficult to muster the confidence needed to belong somewhere.

Ready to start your healing journey? Contact Summit Psychotherapy today at
(773) 612-6206 or complete our intake form to schedule an appointment.

Solutions: In What Ways Can Therapy Assist You?

Culturally competent therapy within the LGBTQ+ spectrum can prove to be life-changing. An Asian American who is an LGBTQ+ mental health specialist would understand how to help the patient embrace their identity with more self-acceptance. We have such a specialist at Summit Psychotherapy.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is especially helpful in resolving conflicts that stem from an individual’s culture and sexual orientation. This approach gives clients the compassion needed to release the shame they might have due to their background.

Therapy for rejection-sensitive individuals does wonders for their trauma, anxiety, and depression. Past wounds can be addressed with several coping strategies to help build strong emotional resiliency.

Conclusion

Integrated approaches to mental health care are important for working on the complexities of culture and sexual identity. It is especially easier to achieve this when there is a mental health practitioner who understands these components and offers support and resources to the individual that enable them to live and work to their fullest potential.

Your mental health matters. Let’s talk.