Effects on Mental Health. Being a victim of discrimination can have serious effects on an individual's mental health. Studies show that harassment and abuse contribute to the increased risk of mental illness in gay people. Victims are also at higher risk of substance use compared to heterosexual men and women. Often times, victims use drugs to "divert" and "distract" themselves from all the things they see, hear and experience. This becomes their "escape" to temporarily forget the hurtful things that they go through every single day.
Discrimination. Studies show that LGBT teens are significantly more likely to experience discrimination in schools, workplaces and etc. 1/3 of LGBT youth who suffer from discrimination have reported the issue,
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More often than not they become victims of harassment and abuse anywhere they go.
Effects on Mental Health. Being a victim of discrimination can have serious effects on an individual's mental health. Studies show that harassment and abuse contribute to the increased risk of mental illness in gay people. Victims are also at higher risk of substance use compared to heterosexual men and women. Often times, victims use drugs to "divert" and "distract" themselves from all the things they see, hear and experience. This becomes their "escape" to temporarily forget the hurtful things that they go through every single
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(2008), indicate that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) conducted the Harris Interactive Survey. The results show 84% of those surveyed often hear the words "faggot" or "dyke" at school. Furthermore, 70% reported hearing the word "gay" used in a derogatory manner. This proves that verbal harassment is present in the school environment. These words are often used by people to target Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual teenagers. As a result, almost 38% of students reported that they had "frequently or often" been subjected to harassment at school. Included in this, are 1/4 of students saying that they had been harassed physically because of their gender identity. This implies that verbal abuse often times lead to physical abuse. Words are the leading cause of misunderstanding, and words uttered in a derogatory manner often have negative outcomes. The fact that these derogatory and vulgar words are used very often in the school environment is very alarming. The school is a place of learning and development, this act of abuse will surely make it hard for the victims to fully develop and sustain in their