Call to Healthcare Orgs: Improving Access to Mental Health Care for LGBTQ community

Sarah Hegazi was arrested in 2017 for raising the rainbow flag at a concert in Cario. She was soon arrested and tortured. In 2020, after seeking asylum in Canada, she took her own life following a futile attempt to find adequate mental health care. Amr Magdi/Twitter

​On September 22, 2017, Sarah Hegazi raised a rainbow flag in Cairo at a concert featuring Mashrou Leila, a Lebanese indie rock band whose lead singer is openly queer.
 
For the Egyptian writer, it was an innocuous act validating her existence as a queer person living in a nation that often violently stifles any gender or sexual expression that strays away from the cis-hetero norm.
 
With 35,000 people at the concert—many recording the event—it was no surprise that Hegazi’s photo with the rainbow flag began circulating on social media.
 
She was soon arrested, tortured, and left in solitary confinement for days. Once released in January 2018, Hegazi sought asylum in Toronto—thousands of kilometres away from home, burdened with the trauma and PTSD that followed her.
 
Financially strained and overwhelmed by the bureaucracy that comes with seeking asylum, Hegazi’s attempt to find suitable mental health care failed.
 
She took her life on June 14, 2020.
 
Hegazi is just one example of the challenges many LGBTQ+ people face when trying to access mental health care in Canada. Access to mental health care for those who need it most remains a critical issue, and one that isn’t spoken about enough in healthcare circles, especially when it comes to queer and trans people.
 
But what can healthcare organizations do to make access to care easier for members of the LGBTQ+ community? Here are some points that I’ve learned while working in the realm of healthcare at a time when it’s facing dramatic shifts and has ample potential to deliver value for those on the periphery.
 
 
Having Diverse Mental Health Providers in Your Organization
 
As a queer woman of colour, one of the challenges Hegazi faced was finding a mental health practitioner who could understand the intersection of her identity. Increasing the number of LGBTQ+ mental health providers from diverse backgrounds within healthcare organizations can significantly enhance access to care. Having mental health professionals who can relate to these experiences can foster a deeper level of understanding and connection. Healthcare organizations can actively recruit, support, and retain diverse LGBTQ+ mental health professionals, providing mentorship programs and creating inclusive work environments.
 
 
 
 
Healthcare Partnerships with LGBTQ+ Organizations
 
Community partnerships and outreach collaborating with LGBTQ+
organizations and community centres is crucial for healthcare companies and organizations who want to reach underserved populations. By establishing partnerships, healthcare providers can offer mental health services in a more accessible and trusted environment. This approach reduces barriers such as stigma and fear of discrimination, while also enabling healthcare organizations to gain insights into the specific mental health needs and concerns of the LGBTQ+ community. An example of this is Freddie, a company that simplifies access to PrEP, a medication that prevents HIV. Freddie has collaborated and often advertises on platforms targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community.
 
Telehealth and Online Resources
 
One of the silver linings of the pandemic is how it transformed healthcare toward a digital future. Access that was once only available in person was now offered virtually. The expansion of telehealth services can greatly enhance access to mental health care for LGBTQ+ individuals. Virtual platforms provide convenience, privacy, and allow individuals in rural or isolated areas to connect with providers who specialize in LGBTQ+ mental health. Healthcare organizations can also develop online resources and support networks to provide information, education, and community for LGBTQ+ individuals. These resources can include self-help materials, LGBTQ+ specific mental health guides, and online support groups that foster connections and a sense of belonging.
 
 
Final Thoughts
 
It is crucial that healthcare organizations prioritize the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring equitable access to care and fostering overall well-being for all individuals. By taking these steps, healthcare organizations can play a vital role in promoting mental health equity and supporting the resilience and flourishing of LGBTQ+ individuals. It’s a win-win for both the LGBTQ+ community and for healthcare organizations that want to offer value to patients.