by Rita Waller

Created on: January 18, 2010   Last Updated: January 20, 2010

Did you know that lesbians have an increased risk of depression? There are many different factors when merge and converge to create this reality for this group of individuals. Many researchers posit that women in general experience depression at a rate greater than men; thus it is logical to conclude that lesbians are predisposed to depression by gender. But other factors obviously contribute to the statistics of depression and suicide in the lesbian population. While sexual orientation may be stressful, it has not been identified as an antecedent to psychiatric dysfunction; however, there are numerous other factors specific to lesbians which have been identified as contributing to their depression. 

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. This occurred with little or no recognition by the society in which lesbians live and work. As they strive to function in society, lesbians may adopt behaviors which contribute to their development of depression. For example, to avoid being labeled immoral or deviant, a lesbian may choose to hide her sexual orientation from all or a portion of the people with whom she comes in contact. For instance, she may have a circle of friends with whom she shares this part of her life, but she may not reveal this side of herself to other friends, family, and coworkers. This process, known as remaining “in the closet,” requires that the individual isolate herself from those with whom she chooses not to remain closeted. Saunders and Valente cite Durkheim’s theory on suicide in their discussion of the influence that social isolation has on the mental health of lesbians. Durkheim proposed that individuals who lack social connections or are not allowed to participate in society in all aspects of their lives had an increased risk of suicidal behavior. Full participation in society includes privileges, rights, and responsibilities that adults in a given society receive. Lack of full participation in society may occur in many ways. One such way is illness. Society often views the sick as a special group that receives only partial rights and responsibilities. Because homosexuality has been labeled as a disease for many years, the limited social access of homosexuals is justified by society. This continues to be a social reality in spite of changes that have occurred in the medical community.

Social segregation becomes markedly injurious at times of loss such

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