Mental health challenges of LGBQ+ community and training needsof mental health professionals: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/hj00vb64Keywords:
LGBQ+ community, Mental health problems, Psychological problems, Mental health professionals, Training needs, Queer affirmative therapists, Experiences, IndiaAbstract
This review is aimed to discover literatures on mental health challenges faced by LGBQ+ individuals. This study contains researches on psychological issues faced by the individuals of LGBQ+ community due to the belief of society about these individuals being different from the mainstream societal beliefs. It further reviews the need for an affirming and inclusive mental health policies and services for LGBQ+ individuals. This review of the literature summarizes research findings on the mental health issues faced by LGBQ+ people. It emphasizes on epidemiology, risk, protective factors, and availability of care. On the other hand, this paper also reviews the literatures on the training needs of psychologists who work with LGBQ+ community. Researcher have studied recent studies, articles, research papers for this research. Highlights of this study are current curriculum innovations, cultural hurdles, knowledge gaps, and the importance of queer-affirmative practices. In accordance to improve mental health practitioners' sensitivity and competency few methods and suggestions are discussed in this research paper. This paper is primarily focused on Indian research papers followed by researches done outside India.
References
1.Abbafati, C., Abbas, K. M., Abbasi, M., Abbasifard, M., Abbasi-Kangevari, M., Abbastabar, H., Abd-Allah, F., Abdelalim, A., Abdollahi, M., Abdollahpour, I., Abedi, A., Abedi, P., Abegaz, K. H., Abolhassani, H., Abosetugn, A. E., Aboyans, V., Abrams, E. M., Abreu, L. G., Abrigo, M. R. M., … Murray, C. J. L. (2020). Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1204–1222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30925-9/ATTACHMENT/1802C2B8-7CCC-467E-B4DD-92F466CF5E15/MMC2E.PDF
2.Farmer, L. B., Welfare, L. E., & Burge, P. L. (2013). Counselor competence with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients: Differences among practice settings. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 41(4), 194–209. https://doi.org/10.1002/J.2161-1912.2013.00036.X;REQUESTEDJOURNAL:JOURNAL:21611912;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
3.Gaur, P. S., Saha, S., Goel, A., Ovseiko, P., Aggarwal, S., Agarwal, V., Haq, A. U., Danda, D., Hartle, A., Sandhu, N. K., & Gupta, L. (2023). Mental healthcare for young and adolescent LGBTQ+ individuals in the Indian subcontinent. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2023.1060543
4.Israel, T., Willging, C. E., & Ley, D. (2016). Development and Evaluation of Training for Rural LGBTQ Mental Health Peer Advocates. Rural Mental Health, 40(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1037/RMH0000046
5.Kelleher, C. (2009). Minority stress and health: Implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 22(4), 373–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070903334995
6.Marar, S. J. V., Lakshmanan, I., Ramgopal, C. N., & Subramanian, S. S. (2024). Exploring Mental Health Professionals’ Experience, Training, and Clinical Preparedness to Provide Care for LGBTQIA+ Individuals. Fizjoterapia Polska, 2024(5), 352. https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG020C1JZR
7.McCombes, S. (2023, September 11). How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates. Scribbr.
8.Mental health. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
9.Neupane, G. K., and Molla, N. (2026). Balancing Industrial Growth and Environmental Responsibility: A Case Study of Pollution Management at Udayapur Cement Industry, Nepal. (2026). Journal of Integrative Science and Societal Impact, 2(1), 172-179. https://doi.org/10.29121/JISSI.v2.i1.2026.69
10.Nying, T. D. (2026). The Silent Burden: Exploring Men's Mental Health in Cameroon Amidst Societal Pressures and Responsibilities, A Contemporary Lyrical-Informed Analysis Using Daniel Nwosu Jr Aka Dax’s Songs - 'From A Man’s Perspective', 'Lonely Dirt Road' and 'to be A Man', ShodhSamajik: Journal of Social Studies. 3(1), 6-83. https://doi.org/10.29121/ShodhSamajik.v3.i1.2026.67
11.Pandya, A. kumar, & Redcay, A. (2021). Access to health services: Barriers faced by the transgender population in India. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 25(2), 132–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2020.1850592
12.Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F., Bolton, P., Chisholm, D., Collins, P. Y., Cooper, J. L., Eaton, J., Herrman, H., Herzallah, M. M., Huang, Y., Jordans, M. J. D., Kleinman, A., Medina-Mora, M. E., Morgan, E., Niaz, U., Omigbodun, O., … UnÜtzer, Jü. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553–1598. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31612-X/ASSET/2768FCD5-9EAF-4386-AB95-449CBF322CEF/MAIN.ASSETS/GR7.JPG
13.Pitt, M., Taylor, P., & Dunlop, B. J. (2023). Bisexual Women’s Experiences of Receiving Help for Mental Health Difficulties Through Psychological Therapy: A Qualitative Exploration. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/SGD0000638
14.Rutherford, K., Mcintyre, J., Daley, A., & Ross, L. E. (2012). Development of expertise in mental health service provision for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Medical Education, 46(9), 903–913. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-2923.2012.04272.X;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
15.Salim, S. M., Ameen, S., Chenganakkattil, S., Valiyapurayil, J., & Anilal, L. (2025). LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency of Psychiatrists in an Indian State: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Homosexuality. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2025.2469572;SUBPAGE:STRING:ACCESS
16.Schweiger-Whalen, L., Noe, S., Lynch, S., Summers, L., & Adams, E. (2019). Converging Cultures: Partnering in Affirmative and Inclusive Health Care for Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(6), 453–466. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390318820127
17.Sexual orientation and gender diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq
18.Shrivastava, S., Shrivastava, J., and Talreja, D. (2026). Social Media Usage and Mental Well-Being: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Collaboration Networks. (2026). Journal of Integrative Science and Societal Impact, 2(1), 180-195. https://doi.org/10.29121/JISSI.v2.i1.2026.71
19.Singpho Sanra. (2022). Homosexuality and the stigmatized homophobia in Indian society. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 4(6), 1–9.
20.Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBUSRES.2019.07.039
21.Solanki, M., & Tiwari, P. (2024). Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Indian LGBTQ+ Adults and Cishet Adults. JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN ACADEMY OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY.
22.Sutter, M., & Perrin, P. B. (2016). Discrimination, mental health, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ people of color. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(1), 98–105. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000126
23.Tripathi, A., & Talwar, T. (2022). Parental Acceptance and Challenges Faced by LGBTQ Youth in India and Their Mental Health. Gender Equity: Challenges and Opportunities, 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0460-8_3
24.Wainberg, M. L., Scorza, P., Shultz, J. M., Helpman, L., Mootz, J. J., Johnson, K. A., Neria, Y., Bradford, J. M. E., Oquendo, M. A., & Arbuckle, M. R. (2017). Challenges and Opportunities in Global Mental Health: a Research-to-Practice Perspective. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(5), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11920-017-0780-Z/METRICS
25.Who makes up the LGBTQ+ community? A look at the growing population - ABC News. (n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://abcnews.go.com/US/makes-lgbtq-community-growing-population/story?id=110435387
31612-X/ASSET/2768FCD5-9EAF-4386-AB95-449CBF322CEF/MAIN.ASSETS/GR7.JPG){kind=link}