Bisexual people's experiences with mental health services: a qualitative investigation.
Bisexual people experience minority stress and social isolation as a result of their marginalized sexual identities, and likely due to this stigmatization, previous research has identified high rates of psychological distress, anxiety, depression, suicidality, alcohol misuse, and self-harming behaviour among bisexual populations. It is therefore important that mental health service providers are able to provide culturally competent care to bisexual people. This study used focus groups and interviews with 55 bisexual participants across the province of Ontario, Canada, to investigate their experiences with mental health care. Results suggest that bisexual people have both positive and negative experiences with mental health service providers. Specific provider practices which contribute to the perception of positive and negative experiences with mental heath services are described, and the implications for clinical practice discussed.
Eady
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Social Equity and Health Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 455 Spadina Ave. Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5S 2G8, Canada.
Dobinson
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Ross
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013240:Stereotyping; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult