Type of gay men

A population study of 8, gay Canadian-based men highlighted education, income levels, and ethnicity as factors implicated in respondents depression and suicidality Ferlatte et al. This research illustrates the value of studying and addressing the multiple intersecting social factors on the health disparities experienced by gay men Ferlatte et al. Unfortunately, gay men who do seek help may experience discrimination in the health care system. A study of U.

This negatively affects health care patient—provider relationships. For example, erectile dysfunction resulting from pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of depression can be a deterrent for sexually active gay men Newman et al.

Substance overuse is at least 1. Confounding this, substance overuse and withdrawal symptoms are often similar to somatic depressive symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and weight changes Bryant et al. The education curriculums for health care providers may not adequately equip them to address the needs of gay men Blackwell, ; Gee, ; Rutherford et al. Health care providers working with gay men concede that there is a lack of professional education and training opportunities that specifically address the issues and needs of gay men Blackwell, ; GLMA, ; Rutherford et al.

In providing care for gay men, it is essential that health care providers create a safe environment in which men can confide and discuss their sexual orientation and mental health issues openly. Creating such an environment will help health care providers identify those who are at risk for depression and suicidality. In hopes of reducing the risk of suicide among gay men the following five recommendations are provided.

First, establishing trust is essential. Health care providers, by displaying empathy and open-mindedness and withholding judgments can establish rapport with gay men. For example, some men may have sex with men, but not identified as gay. As such, it is important for providers to discuss confidentiality with their patients, including how patient information is recorded and potentially shared.

CAMH provides an online guide for health care providers to use when assessing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender LGBT individuals. The questionnaire covers issues including mental health, substance use, HIV, support system, and involvement in the gay community. The template can be filled out by the patient or by conversing with the patient during the initial clinic visit.

The use of the questionnaire can help facilitate an open discussion with the patient about their sexual orientation and mental health history. This approach along with the reassurance of confidentiality helps establish trust with the patient, improving the likelihood that the patient will feel safe and secure enough to disclose mental health concerns and, ideally, return for follow-up. In addition, all staff members engaging with patients should be provided with training to help create and maintain a safe open environment for gay men.

The training should cover the use of appropriate language amid identifying and confronting any internalized discriminatory beliefs about gay men and their health issues GLMA, Learning to identify and confront internalized discriminatory beliefs is important because some health providers may have inaccurate perceptions about gay patients due to their lack of awareness of LGBT issues GLMA, Because many adult gay men rely on friends for social support, a formal assessment of social support networks is also likely to be beneficial.

Identifying with the gay community can correlate with improved mental health GLMA, ; Ryan et al. Patients may turn to alcohol and substances to cope with rejection, social isolation, or conflicts related to their sexual identity CAMH, Health care providers can effectively intervene by providing information and community resources to extend health resources beyond their services. Third, because gay men are at higher risk for substance overuse King et al. Understanding these associations and relationships will help health care providers identify if the individual is using substances to cope with unresolved mental health issues.

For example, gay men may use substances to blunt strong emotions, family reactions to their sexual orientation, and social isolation experienced after coming out CAMH, Health care providers should attempt to offer gay friendly support and treatment options for those overusing substances. Patients may not feel comfortable in disclosing their sexual orientation to health care providers.

To help overcome patient self-disclosure barriers, the CAMH provides a guide with questions for health care providers to use during their assessments. For example, one question asks if the reason for getting help for substance use is related to any issues around their sexual orientation. As noted earlier, gay men may overuse substances for various reasons other than recreational enjoyment.

The guide provides probe questions for health care providers to ask during interactions in soliciting more depth and context about particular practices.

It is an in-depth guide comprising three sections. The first section provides an overview of substance use within the LGBT community, legal issues related to treating LGBT patients, and treatment approaches.

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The third section, directed to program administrators, provides recommendations for policies and procedures, training, and education. Highlighted is the use of sensitive language as a sign of respect in creating and facilitating a safe environment for patients SAMHSA, Establishing and maintaining confidentiality is another important aspect of assessing and treating gay men effectively. This can be advanced by creating confidentiality policies for staff and patients, and by educating patients about laws that protect their confidentiality SAMHSA, Fourth, depressive symptoms and suicidality often times begins in adolescence, and gay youth can be a subgroup especially vulnerable to suicide.

Parents need to be educated on how rejecting behaviors can negatively affect the mental health of their child Ryan et al. PFLAG Canada is a national organization that helps support, educate, and provide resources for individuals with issues round sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression and provides an extensive information document for parents whose child identifies as gay PFLAG Canada, The document covers topics including what the parent and the child may be experiencing, how to support the child, and resources available for the family.

In terms of screening for depression, there is no tool specifically designed for assessing gay men. Nevertheless, it is important that health care providers do not rely entirely on such tools. Depression among gay men rarely manifested in classic symptoms of anorexia, weight loss, self-worthlessness, and poor sleep patterns. Similar to evaluating depression, health care providers should directly engage gay men in conversations about suicidality.

Population-based studies have provided strong evidence that depression and suicidality among gay men is a significant issue Haas et al. In addition, depression and suicide prevention strategies targeting gay men are poorly understood and underdeveloped. A literature view by Haas et al. There is also scant knowledge about the specific risk and protective factors that influence depression and suicidality among gay men Haas et al.

Health care providers have important opportunities to contribute insights and hypotheses about the underlying problems and challenges as a means to addressing these knowledge gaps. Gay men are vulnerable to depression and suicidality for a variety of unique and complex reasons. Thanks also to Movember Canada Grant 11R for their generous support and funding. Declaration of Conflicting Interests: This work was supported by Movember Canada Grant 11R National Center for Biotechnology Information , U.

Am J Mens Health. Published online Jan John L. Mary T. Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Abstract Gay men are a subgroup vulnerable to depression and suicidality. Introduction Depression is prevalent among gay men, wherein gay men are three times more likely to experience depression compared with the general adult population Cox, ; King et al. Depression Depression is defined clinically as the experience of a depressive mood or loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities over a 2-week period, along with four of the following symptoms: Implications for Health Care Providers The education curriculums for health care providers may not adequately equip them to address the needs of gay men Blackwell, ; Gee, ; Rutherford et al.

Knowledge Gaps Population-based studies have provided strong evidence that depression and suicidality among gay men is a significant issue Haas et al. Conclusion Gay men are vulnerable to depression and suicidality for a variety of unique and complex reasons. Footnotes Declaration of Conflicting Interests: References Addis M. Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking. American Psychologist , 58 , Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5th ed. Washington, DC: Assessing the mental health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population.

Community Practitioner , 86 3 , Assessment and treatment of depression in gay and bisexual men in emergency settings.

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Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal , 37 , Sex Roles , 68 , Queer Traditionally a pejorative term, queer has been appropriated by some LGBT people to describe themselves. However, it is not universally accepted even within the LGBT community and should be avoided unless someone self-identifies that way. These individuals can be transgender, transsexual, cross dressers, Drag performers, or individuals who express their gender in a unique way. Zie is subjective replaces he or she and Hir is possessive and objective replaces his or her.

For transgender people, their birth-assigned sex and their own internal sense of gender identity do not match. Typically, transgender people seek to make their gender expression match their gender identity, rather than their birth-assigned sex. Sex The classification of people as male or female.

At birth, infants are assigned a sex based on a combination of bodily characteristics including: Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay or bisexual. For example, a man who transitions from male to female and is attracted to other women would be identified as a lesbian or a gay woman. Cross-dressers are usually comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth and do not wish to change it.

Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic activity. Cross-dressing is not indicative of sexual orientation.