There are many different factors that can affect someone's access to mental health support, including their socioeconomic status. For bisexuals who face discrimination due to their orientation, this can be especially true when it comes to seeking out services designed for people with mental health issues. In addition, bisexuals may also experience additional challenges related to stigma and prejudice within the LGBTQ+ community. This can create a unique set of barriers that prevent them from receiving the care they need. Bisexual individuals often struggle with feelings of isolation and alienation because society tends to view them as being "invisible" compared to gay or lesbian peers. As a result, bisexuals are more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to suffer from anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. They may find themselves struggling with substance abuse issues like alcoholism or drug addiction due to self-medicating behaviors used as coping mechanisms for dealing with mental illness symptoms.
Poverty is linked with higher rates of poor mental health among all populations; therefore, bisexuals living in poverty might have even less access to quality mental healthcare due to financial constraints.
Some research suggests that bisexual individuals tend to seek help at lower rates than other groups when faced with mental health problems. This could mean that bisexuals do not feel comfortable discussing their sexuality with providers or that they believe there will be no point in doing so since most therapists are either homophobic or uninformed about bisexual identity issues. One way that professionals can begin addressing these disparities is by providing culturally competent training on working effectively with bisexual clients.
Organizations should work towards increasing awareness around bisexuality across society by creating public service announcements aimed at educating people about what it means to identify as bisexual and reducing stigmas associated with bisexuality. With better resources available, more bisexual individuals would be able to get the treatment they need without fear or shame holding them back.
How does bisexuality intersect with socioeconomic status to influence access to mental health support?
Bisexuals are more likely than heterosexuals and homosexuals to experience higher rates of anxiety and depression and have a greater risk for substance abuse (Halpern & Kahn, 2018). There is also evidence that sexual minorities report worse overall mental wellbeing compared to their heterosexual peers (Ryan et al. , 2017).