Coping with the stress of providing mental health-related informal support to peers in an LGBTQ context

Bibliographic Data

ID15098181
AuthorsStephanie Worrell (0000-0002-2296-9379, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, corresponding author), A Waling (0000-0003-1370-5600, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia), Joel Anderson (0000-0003-3649-2003, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia), Anthony Lyons (0000-0001-9569-6909, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia), JACKSON FAIRCHILD (Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia), Adam Bourne (0000-0001-7786-8981, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia)
Year2023
Volume25
Issue8
Pages991-1006
Publication date2023-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2022.2115140
PMID36074892
OpenAlexW4295083902
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited29

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or gender diverse, or queer-identifying (LGBTQ) people provide informal support to peers experiencing mental ill health. This reflects both the high prevalence of mental ill health in their communities - often a product of discrimination - and barriers to accessing formal services. In this article, we explore how LGBTQ people who help peers with their mental health seek to cope with the stress of providing such support. Drawing on interviews with 25 LGBTQ people in Melbourne, Australia, we consider how community members being 'leant on' engage in self-care practices and seek help from their communities to cope with the stress of their support roles. We demonstrate that participants' ways of coping, even when similar, can vary in effectiveness and often come with limitations. Thus, we conclude that LGBTQ people providing informal support to peers should be better assisted to do so, in ways that acknowledge the diversity of support provided in LGBTQ communities

Coping (psychology · Lesbian · Mental health · Peer support · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Queer · Social support · Transgender · Clinical Psychology · Homelessness and Social Issues · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Psychology