Mental Health Through the Eyes Of the LGBTQ Community with Renato Pérez (LCSW)

Mental health is one of the most important topics that concern most people all over the world, and the LGBTQ community is no exemption. Regardless of you gender, preferences, sexual orientation and status, dealing with mental health situations, including anxiety and depression, can be pretty tough and emotionally draining.

As members of the LGBTQ community continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities, worries and fears affecting their mental health are vividly evident. Coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or in between can be one one of the most liberating yet painful stages of life. Luckily, help is available for everyone. LATV spoke to Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Renato Pérez on how our community is welcoming going to the therapy.

“We’ve really got an opportunity to understand what holistic health means. There’s been a big push for mental health to be incorporated in our regular health. So, not just go to the doctor to get our check-ups and our tests, but also to talk to someone about your problems and learn about meditation. For me, being healthy is incorporating all of those things that make you happy,” says licensed therapist, Pérez.

Members of the LGBTQ community are starting to speak out and share their stories to inspire other people through their own lights. Indeed, they are mental health advocates in their own rights.  We are gradually but surely breaking the stigma and myths that psychologists and therapists are only for the mentally ill and sick. In our path to mental wellness, they are the heroes not in capes but in uniforms who we can surely rely and trust.

It’s a good point to note that our mental journey is much better with the help professionals who are equipped with proper training and education. Seeing a therapist, psychologist or any professionals when it comes to mental health provides a proper forum and venue to bring out mental health concerns, life challenges and uncertainties and emotional difficulties.

“The Latino community has a lot of intersections: religion and culture and some are more inclusive than others, but we are changing and we are being more accepting. One of the things that we’re being more accepting of is mental health. Now I’m getting a lot of clients that identify with a certain religion that used to not allow patrons of certain community. We are seeing the same in the LGBTQ community. The more friends we have, the more LGBTQ weddings that we go to…The more we see it, the more accepting that our community becomes to it,” said Pérez.

At LATV, we proudly support members of the LGBTQ community and advocates of mental health. Don’t believe us? just watch our series My Health Agenda to learn more about incredible advocates!