Psychologist Alexander Bez spoke about how prejudice harms people in the LGBTQIAP+ community
During Yellow September, which is the Brazilian suicide prevention campaign, research emerges that highlight the impact of prejudice on the mental health of the LGBTQIAP+ population. In addition to the challenges faced on a daily basis, this community is also affected by discrimination.
The psychologist Alexander Bez explained that suicide in the LGBTQIAP+ population has an additional particularity: the social and/or family pressure that exists, leading the person to ‘exceed the limit supported by the mind’. When suicidal ideation occurs, it becomes predominant, and people may attempt suicide. It is worth mentioning that, for suicide to occur, depression must be present as a clinical condition in the mental system.
“Classical depression (major depressive disorder) is a serious internal clinical condition that is also strongly influenced by external issues, which are negatively significant due to prejudice and stigma. These two components are precisely those that increase the likelihood of suicide in these populations. From a mental point of view, discrimination already reflects a mental disorganization in that person, socially marginalized due to ‘prejudiced ideas about sexualities’, which automatically generates stress, increasing depression and, consequently, the tendency to suicide.”, he said.
The expert explained: “It’s an additional negative characteristic that worsens an already extremely serious condition. With these stigmatizations, the mind of someone with depression begins to operate at an even more negative frequency, resulting in thoughts such as: am I really that different? Am I really that different? That bad? And so on, leading people to believe, in a delusional way, that they do not deserve to live because of their sexuality. This is not true, but unfortunately it becomes a negative and functionally destructive thought.”
“Another factor that greatly aggravates this type of action (suicide) is social and family rejection, which works as a kind of daily nutrient for depression, further undermining mental resistance to this action.”, finished.
Alexander Bez (psychologist) – Specialist in Relationships from the University of Miami (UM); Specialist in Anxiety and Panic Syndrome from the University of California (UCLA); Mental Health Specialist. She has been in the profession for over 27 years.
Source: Maxima
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