Clinical Depression:

A Health Disparity Among LGBT

In Comparison to the General

Population in Massachusetts

By: Kim Nguyen of South High School

Nadine Boateng of

WTHS

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A health disparity is the difference in the incidence,

prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease and

other adverse health conditions that exist among

specific population groups when compared in

contrast to the general population.

Disparities can stem from: ● Unequal distribution of social, political, economic, and

environmental resources

What is a Health Disparity?

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Clinical Depression is a mood disorder causing

persistent sadness.

Can Lead To:

● Loss of Hope

● High Anxiety and Restlessness

● Extreme Mood Changes

● Attempts or Completion of Suicide

Clinical Depression

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● No, it has been proven there is a physical change in

those with clinical depression brain chemistry, resulting

in an imbalance of neurotransmitters.

● Through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) testing, it

is shown that areas of the brain controlling appetite,

sleep, and behavior are remarkably different between

those with clinical depression and those without it.

Can People Control It?

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● Compared to the general population, LGBT display a

disparity of clinical depression within Massachusetts.

● LGBT are more prone to poorer health than

heterosexuals/straight in factors such as:

○ self reported health

○ sexual assault victimization

○ substance abuse

Clinical Depression is a health

disparity among LGBT.

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Estimated Total Population within Mass. = 6,745,000

Estimated LGBT Population within Mass. = 230,768

3.42% = Population in Mass. that identify as

LGBT

Population of 2014

Health Status

A Health Profile of Massachusetts Adults by Sexual Orientation Identity: Results from the 2001-2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Surveys

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Adju

sted O

R

Fair/Poor Health

97.1% of adults identified themselves as heterosexual or straight,

while 1.9% self-identified as gay, lesbian or homosexual, and 1.0% as

bisexual in Mass.

Research suggests that LGBT individuals face health

disparities linked to discrimination, societal stigma, and

denial of their civil and human rights.

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● LGBT are more likely to experience

discrimination throughout their lives than the

general population.

● Associated with:

○ High Rates of Psychiatric Disorders

○ Substance Abuse

○ Suicide

Discrimination

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● Personal, family, and social acceptance of sexual orientation and gender

identity affects the mental health and personal safety of LGBT individuals.

○ Often times, LGBT are homeless because they cannot be accepted by

family and by society

○ The only safe places for LGBT to meet are at bars and clubs

Societal Stigma

A Health Profile of Massachusetts Adults by Sexual Orientation Identity: Results from the 2001-2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Surveys

10

Adju

sted O

R

Current Smoker

Former Smoker

Binge Drinking

Illicit Drug Use

Clinical Depression is often related to

oppression and discrimination.

● Legal discrimination: access to health insurance,

employment, housing, marriage, adoption, and

retirement

● Violence: Lack of enforcement of anti-bullying laws

in school to protect LGBT students, frequent

victimization of LGBT often disregarded and

overlooked

Civil and Human Rights

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Table 10: Mental Health – Considered Attempting Suicide

Sexual Orientation Percentage

Heterosexual 2.3%

Gay or Lesbian 4.4%

Bisexual 7.4%

Transgender Status

Yes 30.8%

No 3.6%

(Massachusetts Department of Public Health,

2009)

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Table 9: Mental Health – Number of Days in Past Month Depressed and Anxious

Sexual Orientation Number of Days Depressed Number of Days Anxious

Heterosexual 3.97 8.48

Gay or Lesbian 4.18 7.89

Bisexual 6.38 10.84

Transgender Status

Yes 7.79 11.29

No 4.29 8.31

(Massachusetts Department of Public Health,

2009)

Efforts to Improve LGBT Health

How We Can Help Treatment

● Implementing anti-bullying

policies in schools

● Reforms in receiving access

to equal medical benefits

● Providing supportive social

services to reduce suicide

and homelessness risk

among youth

● Talk Therapy is an effective

measure to help

● Antidepressants: SSRI’s and

SNRI’s

● Electroconvulsive Therapy

● Repetitive Transcranial

Magnetic Stimulation

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Laws ● In 1989, Massachusetts became the 2nd state to pass an

antidiscrimination law to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination to

interfere with employment, housing, credit and services.

● In November of 2011, a legislative enacted law, An Act Relative to Gender

Identity, was signed by the governor and went into effect on July 12, 2012.

It prohibited discrimination against transgenders.

Policies in schools ● In Massachusetts, LGBT students have the right to attend school safely,

safely express your point of view, form a GSA, wear clothes that fit your

gender identity, be called by your chosen name and attend the

bathroom/locker room of your choice.

● These rights are established by state and federal laws through all Mass.

public schools.

On Our Way

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● According to statistics, the LGBT population are

more prone to clinical depression and mental health

issues in comparison to the general population.

● Research suggests that discrimination and

oppression within their environment puts the LGBT

population at higher risk of clinical depression.

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In Conclusion

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1. A Health Profile of Massachusetts Adults by Sexual Orientation Identity. (2008, November 1). Retrieved July 20, 2015,

from http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/health-equity/sexual-orientation-disparities-report.pdf

2. Anti-Discrimination Law in Massachusetts. (2014, February 11). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from

https://www.glad.org/rights/massachusetts/c/anti-discrimination-law-in-massachusetts

3. Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth. (2015). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from

http://www.mass.gov/cgly/FY15Recommendations.pdf

4. Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2015, from

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_1495

5. Disparities in Health and Health Care: Five Key Questions and Answers. (2012, November 30). Retrieved July 15, 2015,

from

6. http://kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health-care-five-key-questions-and-answers/

7. Health Disparities. (2014, December 3). Retrieved July 15, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/disparities/

8. Landers, S., & Gilsanz, P. (2009, July 1). THE HEALTH OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT)

PERSONS IN MASSACHUSETTS. Retrieved July 15, 2015, from http://www.masstpc.org/wp-

content/uploads/2012/10/DPH-2009-lgbt-health-report.pdf

9. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. (2014). Retrieved July 15, 2015, from

http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health

10. Namade, R., Reiss, N., & Domeck, M. (2007, September 19). Biology Of Depression - Neurotransmitters. Retrieved July

15, 2015, from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/biology-of-depression-neurotransmitters/

11. Rights of LGBT Public School Students. (2015). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from

https://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/publications/ma-rights-of-lgbt-students.pdf

12. Stigma and Discrimination. (2011, March 3). Retrieved July 15, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/stigma-and-

discrimination.htm

13. Types of Depression: Major, Chronic, Manic, and More Types. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-types

14. What Are Health Disparities? (2013, January 14). Retrieved July 15, 2015, from

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/minorityHealth/Pages/disparities.aspx

References

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Questions?

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