The Importance of Community

In honor of Pride month and in light of last month’s article on mental health among the LGBTQ community, we would like to highlight one particular protective factor that leads to more positive outcomes for the mental health of LGBTQ people: social support and community connectedness.

 The Trevor Project’s annual report has consistently found that the more supported and affirmed LGBTQ youth feel, the better their mental health outcomes. With this in mind, one way for LGBTQ people to feel supported and affirmed is to build community with other LGBTQ people.

Social support and community connectedness, or the feeling of closeness one feels with their community, is a protective factor for mental health, especially LGBTQ people. As the Trevor Project states in their 2023 annual report, “LGBTQ young people who had access to affirming homes, schools, community events, and online spaces reported lower rates of attempting suicide compared to those who did not.” This correlation is found among adults as well, as feelings of isolation are associated with negative mental health outcomes. 

However, many LGBTQ people also experience barriers to participating in their local communities. Many LGBTQ people live in rural areas, which makes it more difficult to meet with people. Many LGBTQ people also have a disability, which creates an additional barrier if spaces are not accessible. These disabilities can also include mental health conditions, such as Social Anxiety Disorder or Panic Disorder, which can affect a person’s comfort with new situations and people. Moreover, not all LGBTQ people are open about their identity, and being closeted can make it very difficult to connect with other LGBTQ people.

Here at the Cortland LGBTQ Center, we strive to build a strong LGBTQ community here in Cortland County and our neighbors. If you are looking for community here in Cortland, we’re here for you! We invite you to join us at our monthly groups or community events. If you ever have any questions or want to ensure our event can accommodate you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us: https://cortlandlgbtqcenter.org/contact-us