A systematic review and meta-analysis by Ross and others[1] in 2017 examined 1,074 articles that reported bisexual-specific data on standardized measures of depression and/or anxiety. They looked at studies that reported mean scores and standard deviations for bisexual and comparison groups. They narrowed it down to 52 studies that passed stringent guidelines. Only eight of the 52 included studies that stated a bisexual-specific objective in their abstracts. Results indicated that bisexuals exhibited a consistent pattern of higher rates of depression and anxiety than heterosexuals and lesbian/gay people. They proposed that there were three interrelated contributors including sexual orientation- discrimination, bisexual invisibility, and lack of affirmative support. They argued that there was a lack of quality bisexual research despite evidence of greater mental health concerns.
Let’s first deal with the issue of invisibility of bisexual people. The answer is obvious, at least from the viewpoint of bisexuals. WE DO NOT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN STUDIES. We prefer anonymity. Our sexual behaviors are private. We do not consider it a problem and certainly not cause for public concern. That would be true in most cases; however, we can’t ignore the number of us that are going through severe mental issues that seem to somehow be related to our bisexual nature. BISEXUALITY IS NOT A MENTAL CONDITION. Okay, that’s certainly true, but why are so many of us experiencing mental issues?
Secondly, let’s look at discrimination. Gay and Lesbian culture is now widely accepted by the general population but nonbinary, trans (especially men converting to women), and bisexuals are still facing a backlash. Transgender and conversion is a huge topic in itself so let’s leave that for another time. It is generally accepted that bisexuals face discrimination due to biphobia. It appears that the heterosexual community or the public at large seems to fear bisexuality as some kind of covert behavior that can lead to the weakening of the family and the general state of the community and country. It can be manifested as a disbelief in bisexuality as a valid identity – you are either a man or a woman and therefore should engage in sex as a heterosexual or as gay. The second issue is bi-erasure which refers to the tendency to deny or ignore our existence by both the general population and within the LGBTQ+ community. That would be good in itself; it is our own damn business. We want to be invisible so we can live our own lives and pursue sexual pleasures as our hearts so desire. But again, why the high incidence of clinical depression, generalized anxiety and suicide attempts. It is apparently an issue that cannot be ignored.
That brings us to the issue of lack of support. It would appear that the general population just want us to go away, or at least, just be quiet about our sexual tendencies. However, we may not have problems ourselves as individuals and we usually refuse to join groups of bisexuals for advocacy or just affirmation. I remember trying to start a meet-up group for bisexual people in Victoria BC. I immediately had close to fifty sign-ups. Another individual and I decided to have a meet-and-greet at our favorite breakfast venue. Nobody showed up except the two of us. However, the issue here is that as individuals we may be okay, but a very large number of us need to meet-up not for sex but just to talk about our issues and realize we are not alone. We also need to advocate for one another, not about our human rights, but about the unhealthy occurrence of mental issues among us.
This brings us to the second major concern of this study – the lack of quality research with bisexuals as the major target population. We need to know a whole lot more about why so many of us are experiencing life-threatening mental health issues and then we have to start doing something about it.
Action Plan
- Many of us bisexuals need help and those of us who have gone trough our own Armageddon need to advocate for the help they need.
- We must work together to advocate for the meaningful inclusion of bisexual people in mental health research. We can advocate directly to our colleagues and acquaintances, and through our writing and involvement in professional associations.
- There is certainly a need to address the mental health of individual bisexuals. We can advocate for affirmative support in the mental health sector. We can share information and resources about bisexual mental health. We can help people in decision making positions understand the need for intervention.
- We can be a voice in the LGBQR+ community to bring awareness of our specific gifts, talents and needs.
- There is no need for anonymity. There is nothing to be ashamed about. Like everyone else we are free to pursue sexual pleasures in our own unique way. Sex is meant to get the endorphins flowing for the establishment of meaningful relationships and creating a sense or well-being. If that is not happening, we may be in danger of becoming another statistic in mental health research.
[1] Lori E. Ross, Travis Salway, Lesley A. Tarasoff, Jenna M. MacKay, Blake W. Hawkins, and Charles P. Fehr. Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among Bisexual People Compared to Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Individuals:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. National Library of Medicine Published online: 03 Nov 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099625/
I know that within the LBGT community everyone is an individual, everyone has different experiences and brings a different biological and physical make up to the experience of life. But we do have one thing in common. We experience a huge buildup of anxieties that lead to profoundly more mental issues and suicides than the “normal” population. Why is this happening? Let me give you a different take on this. It happens because we want it to happen. We attract it because we need it. It is a tool to be used to heal. It is the doorway to understanding life. It is the portal to ecstasy.
Bi-Ed: Bisexual Education 