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Mental Health in the Bi+ Community

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Mental Health in the Bi+ Community Self-Care Tips National Resources Bisexuals can also improve their mental health Bisexuality-Aware Professionals Directory mental health by practicing self-care. Here are some self-care http://www.bizone.org/bap/ suggestions: BiNet USA in the bi+ • Celebrate bisexuality through relevant mov- 800-585-9368 ies, books, culture, and history. www.binetusa.org community • Wear bi+-pride colors or incorporate them The GLBT National Help Center Hotline into your lifestyle, whether through home 1-888-843-4564 decorations, car bumper stickers, or office furnishings. The Trevor Project Lifeline (for youth ages 13-24) • Reach out to other members of the bi+ 1-866-488-7386 community, whether online or in person. • Find some quiet time by taking mindful walks, practicing meditation, or doing yoga. What is Bi+? • Express yourself through writing stories, The BRC uses “bisexual” and “bi+” as umbrella poetry, journal entries, and creating visual terms for people who recognize and honor their and musical art. potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more than one gender (bisexual, pansexual, bi+ antagonism, • Boost your self-esteem with positive, daily omnisexual, fluid, queer, asexual, and other free- affirmations (“I am bisexual and proud!”). identifiers). We celebrate and affirm the diversity bi+ erasure, and • Practice healthy habits, such as eating of identity and expression regardless of labels. nutritious meals, regularly exercising, and getting help limiting the intake of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. How to Support Us The BRC is primarily funded through the generosity of our donors. There are many ways you can give. Website: www.biresource.org/donate Paypal: [email protected] References Venmo: @bisexualresourcecenter San Francisco Human Rights Commission. (2011). “Bisexual Invisibility: Impacts and Recommendations.” http://sf-hrc.org/reports- © 2019 Bisexual Resource Center PO Box 170796 research-investigations Boston, MA 02117 The Open University. (2012). “The Bisexuality 617.424.9595 | www.biresource.org Report: Bisexual Inclusion in LGBT Equality The Bisexual Resource Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and Diversity.” http://www.open.ac.uk/ organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Why are mental health issues Bi+ Antagonism • Assuming that a bisexual person is hetero- important to bi+ people? Bi+ antagonism is the fear of, hatred towards, sexual if paired with partner of a different or discrimination against bisexuality. Com- gender, or gay/lesbian if paired a partner of Research suggests that bisexuals suffer worse the same gender. mental health outcomes than heterosexu- mon stereotypes associated with bi+ antagonism als, lesbians, and gay men. These outcomes include: • An organization claiming it is LGBTQ- include: inclusive, but not offering bi-specific • Bisexuals are sexually greedy, promiscuous, programs and resources. • Higher rates of anxiety, depression, and and carriers of sexually transmitted infec- tions (STIs). • Mislabeling bisexuals as lesbian/gay or het- other mood disorders erosexual even when they are openly “out” • Higher reporting of self-harm, suicidal • Bisexuals are untrustworthy or traitors to as bisexual. thoughts, and suicide attempts the LGBTQ community, because they can take advantage of “heterosexual privilege.” • Using phrases like “lesbian and gay” or • Lower levels of social support “lesbian, gay, and trans” in place of • Bisexuals cannot be monogamous because LGBTQ. • Being less likely to be comfortable with they are attracted to everyone. their sexuality or be “out” to friends and Like bi+ antagonism, bisexual erasure or invis- family compared to lesbians and gay men • Bisexual women only aim to seek sexual ibility has profound effects on mental health in attention from heterosexual men. • Higher rates of substance use, including that it also invalidates and isolates bisexuals. cigarette smoking and heavy drinking • Bisexual men are too afraid to fully “come out” and therefore are “really just gay.” Bi+ antagonism isolates bisexuals from both het- Seeking Help and Support erosexual and LGBTQ communities. It also pre- What causes these poor mental vents bisexuals from feeling positive and open Talk to someone: It is important for bisexuals health outcomes? about their sexuality, which in turn contributes who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and/ to the higher reporting of anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts to seek professional help as While the exact reasons may differ from and self-harm, as well as lower reporting of soon as possible. Locating a bi-positive mental person-to-person, research suggests that there coming out. health provider may take time, but they are out are two common elements involved: there. The end of this brochure provides some • Bi+ antagonism (or biphobia*) resources that can help. Bisexual Erasure or Invisibility • Bisexual erasure or invisibility Find a bi+ community: The Centre for Bisexual erasure or invisibility is ignoring, Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario, removing, or re-explaining the evidence of Canada discovered that bisexuals associate *The BRC uses “bi+ antagonism” instead of “biphobia” bisexuality. Common examples associated with positive mental health outcomes with social in this brochure to limit abelist language and disassoci- bisexual erasure or invisibility include: support, self-acceptance, volunteering, and ate folks with clinical phobias with folks with antagonist belonging in a bisexual community. You can veiwpoints. • Denying that bisexuality exists as a real locate a group near you at www.biresource. orientation, such as stating that it’s “just a org/find-a-bi-group/. More information about phase” or simply for experimental purposes mental health and bisexuality can also be found as one “eventually” labels oneself as gay/les- at www.bihealthmonth.org. bian or heterosexual..
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