Accessibility to Mental Healthcare and Stigma Experienced by the LGBTQ+ Community in India

Abstract

Access to mental healthcare is disproportionately distributed among people from different backgrounds and communities. The study aims to explore stigma and the accessibility of mental healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ community in India. LGBTQIA+ community faces stigma on two levels: stigma related to their sexuality and stigma related to accessing mental healthcare and mental illness. The study employed a qualitative research approach to thematically analyze the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community in India. The study comprised a total of 8 participants, consisting of 4 bisexual females, 2 gay men, 1 lesbian female, and 1 bisexual transgender individual who were interviewed in depth. The age of the participants spanned from 18 to 26. The following themes were identified: Self Stigma, Perceived Stigma, Concerns regarding Confidentiality, Early Experiences, Lack of Parental Support, Financial Instability, Uncertainty about mental healthcare, Prejudice from Mental Health Professionals, and Religion. The findings suggests that stigma due to societal factors, external and internal constraints overlap to create barriers to accessing mental healthcare.