The Health and the Aspects behind the LGBT Community - Case Study Example

Concepts of Health in Diverse Communities Name: Institution: Concepts of Health in Diverse Communities Introduction It is certain that for there to be good health, there must be an overall satisfaction that both the physical state and the emotional state of an individual are functioning in a way that is beneficial to the said individual (Flood & Australia Institute, 2005). This shows that the presence of some form of disease is not the only ideal test in determining these aspects in a person (Kaplan 2009). Many diverse communities have shown that this aspect is true as sometimes, it is not a particular disease affiliation problem that tampers with the health or the proper functioning of the person in question(Flood & Australia Institute, 2005). Health issues may arise due to various factors, and choices that surround the daily activities of any person and the treatment received to help handle the circumstances may largely determine the extent of the harm. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and the transgender individuals (LGBT) of Australia, face various health issues that are related to their choice of livelihoods and romantic relationships (Kaplan, 2009). These issues may constitute matters that are of both mental and physical well-being and they may have varying effects on the day to day lives of those affected by it (Flood & Australia Institute, 2005). This community is diversified into groups of people that have different perspectives or rather point of views that they use to determine what their sexual preferences are. They are all grouped into one as their preferences have faced various criticisms from the society, culture, religion and the political sectors as the accepted definition of a boy-girl relationship is unsatisfied. The lesbians therefore refer to the female to female relationship; the gays are the male to male sexual association, the Bisexual refer to those that have both the reproductive organs in one individual and lastly is those that switch from one gender to another referred to as the transgender. (Flood & Australia Institute, 2005). With that said therefore, it is certain that the relationships of these natures are not commonly or rather easily accepted into the community (Kaplan, 2009). For these reasons, there is a form of resistance or rebellion from either side as one seeks acceptance from the other. Due to the lack of acceptance by the society, majority of the individuals that practice the above relationships have found themselves experiencing various amounts of psychological discomfort, fear and hence mentally instability(Flood & Australia Institute, 2005). Once the state of the mind is not at ease, there is an equal reaction to all the functions that the mind performs such that, an individual may face mental health issues or worse may develop subsequent physical problems (Kaplan, 2009). This essay therefore seeks to evaluate just how much the concept of health varies from the assumptions of diseases and infirmities especially to this community to incorporate the whole state of physical, social and mental well-being. Discussion: understanding the Health issues in the LGBTI community Understanding the health and the aspects behind the LGBT community starts with a slight overview of the historical analysis of what the whole community experiences. There are circumstances where the isolation and discrimination became too much and hence the communities found safe havens in the places that they could not access good health but rather alcohol and drugs that further worsens the situation. The main social factors are those that are related to the issues therefore are mainly constituted of a feeling of oppression and discrimination. For example institutional isolation refers to unemployment, discrimination in classes, bullying in both the schools and the streets, exclusion from social programs among many other issues. The environment in which these individuals are in also help in creating a better understanding of the physical aspects of the health problems as there is lack of fair treatment hence encouraging lack of proper health care, participation in recreation activities among others. The LGBT health therefore shows there are a variety of matters that ought to be taken into consideration so as to address the disparities. Among them including; homelessness, risks of sexually transmitted diseases, probability of obesity or drastic weight loss among others. There are other more fatal health issues as well among them, suicidal attempts, drug abuse and alcoholism and psychological difficulties. Below therefore is a detailed explanation on these factors and the subsequent health issues that come with them. Factors that cause Mental/Psychological health in the LGBT community There are several research programs that have ventured into identifying the true causation of the mental health issues experienced within this diverse community. The main reason behind them however, is mainly the distress caused by the need to be accepted into the community and to have the freedom to express one’s sexuality freely. In addition to the constant need for acceptance, there is the probability of violence and harm directed towards them by individuals that find their relationship choices unacceptable. The reasons that distress and the possibility of harm is an issue are because majority of individuals in this community lack parental support, as well as, friends that stand with them amid all the mockery and ill treatment. This lack of a support system therefore tops as one of the main factors that health issues are in the first place a problem to the community. Another additional factor that brings about psychological or mental issues is that, most of the curriculums and the communities have not accepted that this type of sexuality exists (Ofreneo, 2010). Due to this, young children are not educated about it and thus hen changes begin to occur and they find themselves attracted to the ‘wrong’ gender, they begin to hate themselves and develop low self-esteem, as well as, probable substance abuse among other temporary solutions. Disclosure at early age therefore, could enable an individual to learn and perhaps get help so that he/she may be prepared of the consequences that may come with the choice in sexuality hence boosting the chances of not developing any form of illness. As earlier mentioned most of the relationships within this community are not widely acceptable in the community as what is considered normal and appropriate (Tobias and Cahill, 2010). Therefore, there are chances that great amounts of stigmatization on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender choices will be experienced leading to discrimination and isolation in almost all spheres of society. The feeling of being discriminated against has a huge effect on the mental health condition of an individual because rejection leads to self-hate and risky chances of suicide. Once one has developed suicidal tendencies therefore, there is a probability that the emotional state of those close to the individual too may be affected as there is constant worry and despair within them (Tobias and Cahill, 2010). The most affected group in this section is the teenagers and those undergoing adolescence because the treatment they receive from their peers may not be hat they are ready to handle. Indeed, the adolescent groups are the ones most likely to experience the confusion and the dismay that comes with isolation, stigmatization and discrimination and it could get worse as they continue to grow. In Australia, those with same sex relations have experienced a fair share of this treatment and the social prejudice on the same especially related to their sexual orientation. The above factors are therefore the main reasons as to why health issues especially for a psychological nature develop in the LGBT group and to some extent not much can be done to ensure that the whole society accepts or conforms into accepting the preferences of another without judgment. Impacts of Health Issues to the LGBT community and the rest Stability of the mind and the proper functioning of the brain are essential in the day to day activities and in the building of any nation. Every member of the society and the community therefore plays a vital role in ensuring that the aspects within the community are maintained (Ofreneo, 2010). Economic labour therefore, is important in ensuring that there is sustainability of the nation and the development of the country at all costs. The LGBT community makes up a fair share of the population of Australia and their contribution in terms of labour force or otherwise is vital in any society. Once there is discrimination and isolation therefore, there is certainty that the goal set by the nation may be slightly affected because the cooperation of all individuals is not accounted for. Similarly, the increase in mental health issues affects the functioning of families as there is distress and financial stress due to the need of health care finances among others. For instance, the National Survey of (LGBT) Australians reports that about 60 per cent of LGBT have depression. According to the reports, around 70 per cent of gay males and 85 per cent of lesbian females in Australia have seen a counselor or psychiatrist over the last five years (Kaplan, 2009). The amount of money used to treat or take care of circumstances that could have been avoided in the first place is what raises the concern in many families and many of them face grave challengers. Lack of greater knowledge of the diverse community also raises the issue as to whether there are specific health care issues that the community may feel to identify that may further affect the groups (Ofreneo, 2010). Apart from the common sexually transmitted diseases, there are other effects that finding have been unable to identify and hence create the fear of the unknown in many aspects. In many situations, the self hate that many have developed within themselves may make them behave in unrealistic ways and may intentionally harm due to irrational decisions (Kates and Ranji 2014). This shows that the health issue at this state is hazardous to every other individual and may cause more risk to the greater majority. Solutions to the Health issues in the diverse community From all the above, it is evident that isolation and stigmatization is the main cause of the numerous psychological and perhaps physical issues that arise in the livers of the LGBT individuals. Therefore, the necessary solutions to these problems may include; a strong support system from the members of the society especially the parents and friends (Hays & Erford, 2014). Likewise, to spread the support there is need to educate all people on the dangers of the isolation and the discrimination and the effects it has had on people. Similarly, there is the need to ensure that these types of relationships are taught in school and in a way that they develop an understanding of what it is about to develop a more accepting community. Generally, having strong support system built all around the community members helps them feel a sense of belonging and are able to live with other people and to offer their services as other people do. Conclusion The general community of the Lesbians, gays, and bisexual and transgender community shows that the isolation and the ill treatment they receive due to stigmatization is the main reason why the health issues appear (Kates and Ranji 2014). The subsequent effects of poor productivity, poor health, suicidal attempts, low self esteem and psychological problems show that the identity to the group is not an all positive venture but rather a community of desperate and hurting individuals (Vikki, 2008). The numerous findings in research have shown that there is need of more education on the matter and the health risks of isolation to the entire community. This is because, with societal support as well as, legal protection, they are able to feel equal and less stigmatized (Hays & Erford, 2014). The poor state of living that most of the individuals in this relationship bracket find themselves is an indication that the isolation goes deeper to their livelihoods than perhaps intended. The acts of violence are also not appropriate to this group because hitting them merely inflicts physical and emotional wounds but does not alter their preferences (Vikki, 2008). For this reason, there has been evidence that domestic violence is greatly less in same sex marriage than in heterosexual ones perhaps because they feel the need to defend each other. Regardless, if any acts are committed towards them, there have been signs of fear to ask for any assistance, governmental or otherwise because there is a possibility that there will be no results at the end of it (Tobias and Cahill, 2010). Also, the same complaints may turn against them especially the gay men because there is usually the assumption that there are not as strong or as able as their counterparts. Regardless of all above, today many steps have been taken to counter the isolation of the LGBT community as now their marriages have been legalized and their protection has been initiated (Tobias and Cahill, 2010). Hopefully with less stigmatization and discrimination, more steps will be taken to develop a support system for those that are already affected and to educate the younger generations (Hays & Erford, 2014). In the long run, perhaps the treatment accorded to these relationships will someday be viewed as acceptable in Australia and around the world and there will be a lesser worry on the psychological and physical harm that may be caused. References Carlson, L. A., & Harper, K. S. (December 07, 2011). One Facility's Experience Using the Community Readiness Model to Guide Services for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults. Adultspan Journal, 10, 2, 66-77. Flood, M., Hamilton, C., & Australia Institute. (2005). Mapping homophobia in Australia. Canberra: Australia Institute. Hays, D. G., & Erford, B. T. (2014). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach. Boston: Pearson. Kaplan, A. B. (2009). The differences between the Transgender and the Gay/Lesbian experience. Kates, J., & Ranji, U. (2014). Health Care Access and Coverage for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community in the United States: Opportunities and Challenges in a New. Ofreneo, M. A.,. (January 01, 2010). Spheres of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Struggles. Gender, Technology and Development, 14, 2, 197-215. Ritter, A., Matthew-Simmons, F., Carragher, N., & National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (Australia). (2012). Prevalence of the mental health and alcohol and other grug problems amongst gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community: A review of the literature. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People, Building a Foundation for Better Understanding National Academies Press. 4, p23 Tobias, S., & Cahill, Sean. (2010). Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Families. University of Michigan Press. Vikki, L.V. (2008). Health Promotion and Mental Health, Integrating Associate Professor of Social Work, An Introduction to Policies, Principles, and Practices: An Introduction to Policies, Principles, Portland State University, 4, (2), 22. Read More