Mental Health Matters: Addressing the Unique Challenges Faced by Bisexual Individuals

Bisexual individuals make up a significant portion of the LGBTQIA+ community, yet they often face unique mental health challenges that stem from both external discrimination and internal struggles with identity. The pervasive stigma surrounding bisexuality - including harmful myths, erasure, and misconceptions - can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Many bisexual individuals experience pressure to "prove" their identity, face exclusion from both straight and LGBTQIA+ spaces, and battle harmful stereotypes that question the legitimacy of their experiences.

Despite these challenges, bisexual mental health is frequently overlooked in mainstream conversations about LGBTQIA+ well-being. This lack of representation and support can leave bisexual people feeling invisible, unsupported, and more vulnerable to mental health issues. Bisexual Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to break this silence, shed light on the mental health disparities bisexual individuals face, and take meaningful steps toward change.

In this blog, we will explore the unique mental health struggles within the bisexual community, the systemic and social factors that contribute to these challenges, and what we can do - individually and collectively - to foster mental wellness and create a more inclusive, affirming world for bisexual individuals. Whether you are bisexual yourself, a loved one, or an ally, understanding these issues is essential to building a future where bisexual people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

The Mental Health Impact of Bisexuality: Why It Matters

Bisexual individuals - those who are attracted to more than one gender - face unique and often overlooked mental health challenges. These struggles do not stem from bisexuality itself but rather from external societal factors such as biphobia, erasure, and discrimination. Despite making up a significant portion of the LGBTQIA+ community, bisexual people often feel invisible, misunderstood, or caught between worlds. The constant battle for recognition and acceptance can take a serious toll on mental well-being, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

Biphobia and Stigma: The Weight of Misconceptions

Biphobia - the prejudice, discrimination, and invalidation bisexual people face—can come from both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ spaces. Harmful stereotypes paint bisexual individuals as "confused," "indecisive," or "untrustworthy," reinforcing the false idea that bisexuality is just a phase rather than a legitimate identity. These misconceptions contribute to feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and isolation.

The emotional toll of biphobia can be profound. Studies show that bisexual individuals report higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation than their gay, lesbian, and heterosexual counterparts. Constantly having to justify one’s identity - whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or LGBTQIA+ spaces - creates chronic stress that can negatively impact self-esteem and overall mental health.

Bi-Erasure: The Invisible Struggle

One of the most damaging issues bisexual people face is bi-erasure—the tendency to ignore, dismiss, or deny bisexuality as a valid sexual orientation. Bi-erasure manifests in media, research, and everyday conversations. Bisexuality is often framed as a temporary state, with people assuming bisexual individuals will eventually "pick a side" or that their attraction to multiple genders isn’t real.

When bisexual identities are erased, individuals may struggle with internalized shame and self-doubt. They may feel invalidated when their relationships are assumed to define their orientation—being perceived as straight when dating someone of a different gender or as gay when dating someone of the same gender. This erasure can create a sense of not fully belonging anywhere, leading to deep feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

Pressure to “Choose a Side”

Bisexual individuals often feel pressured to conform to binary sexual orientation labels either gay or straight especially when in relationships. When a bisexual person is dating someone of a different gender, their bisexuality is often erased, with people assuming they are straight. If they are dating someone of the same gender, they may be assumed to be gay or lesbian. This constant need to clarify or justify one’s identity can be exhausting and emotionally draining.

This pressure to “choose a side” can also affect personal relationships. Some bisexual people may feel hesitant to openly discuss their identity for fear of judgment from partners, friends, or family. They may downplay or suppress their bisexuality to avoid conflict, leading to emotional distress and a loss of authenticity.

Mental Health Risks for Bisexual Individuals

Bisexual individuals face a disproportionate risk of mental health challenges, largely due to societal stigma, bi-erasure, and discrimination. These stressors create an environment where bisexual people may struggle to access support, feel understood, or even feel safe in their identities. As a result, they experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns compared to both their heterosexual and gay/lesbian peers.

Higher Rates of Depression and Anxiety

Research consistently shows that bisexual individuals are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than those who identify as exclusively heterosexual, gay, or lesbian. This increased risk is often linked to:

• Biphobia and invalidation: Constantly having one’s identity questioned, dismissed, or stereotyped can lead to chronic stress and self-doubt.

• Social isolation: Feeling like an outsider both in heterosexual spaces and within the broader LGBTQIA+ community can leave bisexual individuals with fewer sources of support.

• Internalized stigma: Internalizing negative messages about bisexuality can contribute to low self-esteem, self-doubt, and difficulty in forming secure relationships.

Over time, these factors take a toll on mental well-being, making it harder to navigate relationships, careers, and everyday life without added emotional distress.

Increased Risk of Suicidal Ideation

One of the most alarming mental health risks bisexual individuals face is a heightened risk of suicidal ideation. Studies have found that bisexual people report significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared to both heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals.

The reasons for this include:

• Feeling invisible or invalidated: The struggle to have one’s identity recognized can lead to feelings of hopelessness.

• Lack of a support network: Bisexual individuals may feel they have nowhere to turn, especially if they face rejection from both straight and LGBTQIA+ spaces.

• Intersectional challenges: Bisexual individuals who are also neurodivergent, disabled, BIPOC, or part of other marginalized groups may face compounded stressors that further increase their risk.

This risk underscores the urgent need for increased mental health support, visibility, and affirmation for bisexual individuals.

Substance Abuse and Self-Harm

The combination of identity-related stress, rejection, and a lack of accessible mental health resources can lead some bisexual individuals to engage in self-destructive behaviors, including:

• Substance abuse: Some bisexual individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with feelings of alienation, rejection, or emotional pain.

• Self-harm: The emotional distress caused by constant invalidation and societal pressure can lead to self-harm as a way to externalize or manage overwhelming emotions.

It is critical to recognize that these struggles are not inherent to bisexuality. Rather, they stem from external pressures, discrimination, and a lack of adequate support. By addressing the root causes—such as bi-erasure, stigma, and lack of mental health resources—we can help reduce these risks and create a more affirming environment for bisexual individuals.

The Need for Affirmative Support and Resources

Supporting the mental health of bisexual individuals requires more than just acknowledging their struggles - it requires active efforts to create affirming, inclusive spaces where they can thrive. Bisexual individuals deserve mental health care that validates their identity, representation that reflects their experiences, and communities that uplift them. Here’s how we can foster a better, more supportive environment.

Increasing Visibility and Representation

Representation matters. When bisexual individuals see themselves reflected in media, literature, and public discourse, it affirms their identity and counters the harmful effects of bi-erasure.

• Bi-positive media and literature provide role models and narratives that validate bisexuality as a legitimate, enduring identity.

• Public figures openly identifying as bisexual challenge stereotypes and demonstrate that bisexuality exists in every walk of life.

• Inclusion in LGBTQIA+ advocacy efforts ensures that bisexuality is not overlooked when discussing queer rights, mental health, and policy changes.

A more visible and authentic representation of bisexuality helps dismantle stigma, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages bisexual individuals to embrace their identities without fear of invalidation.

Educating Mental Health Professionals

Mental health professionals play a crucial role in supporting bisexual individuals, but many are not adequately trained to address the unique challenges of biphobia, bi-erasure, and internalized stigma. To provide better care, therapists, counselors, and social workers must:

• Understand the impact of bisexual stigma: Recognizing that bisexual individuals experience unique stressors - including discrimination from both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ communities - can lead to more effective mental health support.

• Use affirming language and avoid stereotypes: Mental health professionals should refrain from reinforcing harmful ideas about bisexuality, such as dismissing it as a phase or assuming bisexual individuals are indecisive.

• Create a safe, nonjudgmental space: Bisexual individuals should feel comfortable discussing their experiences without fear of erasure or invalidation.

When mental health professionals are knowledgeable and affirming, bisexual individuals are more likely to seek help and receive the support they need.

Creating Supportive Communities

Bisexual individuals often feel isolated, caught between a world that sees them as either "not queer enough" or "not straight enough." Building strong, inclusive communities can make a world of difference.

• Bisexual-focused support groups and social networks provide safe spaces where bisexual individuals can connect with others who understand their experiences.

• LGBTQIA+ organizations should prioritize bisexual inclusion by actively addressing biphobia and ensuring bisexual voices are represented in leadership and advocacy.

• Education and awareness campaigns within both LGBTQIA+ and heterosexual spaces can reduce stigma, foster understanding, and encourage allies to be more supportive.

By fostering bisexual-affirming spaces, we can reduce the isolation bisexual individuals often experience and create an environment where they feel validated, supported, and celebrated.

Steps to Support the Mental Health of Bisexual Individuals

If you are a friend, family member, partner, or ally of a bisexual person, your support can have a meaningful impact on their mental well-being. Many bisexual individuals experience stigma, erasure, and isolation, which can take a toll on their mental health. Here’s how you can be a source of support and affirmation:

Be an Active Listener

One of the most powerful ways to support a bisexual person is simply to listen.

• Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences without fear of judgment or dismissal.

• Validate their identity and feelings. Avoid questioning or diminishing their bisexuality by suggesting it's "just a phase" or that they are "confused."

• Listen without inserting assumptions. Let them define their own experiences rather than applying external labels or expectations.

By offering understanding and empathy, you help affirm their identity and reduce the stress that comes from feeling unheard or invalidated.

Challenge Biphobia and Bi-Erasure

Biphobia and bi-erasure are pervasive, both within and outside LGBTQIA+ spaces. As an ally, you can help create a more inclusive world by:

• Calling out harmful stereotypes. If you hear someone claim that bisexuality isn’t real, that bisexual individuals are "greedy" or "unfaithful," or that they "must be confused," challenge those misconceptions.

• Recognizing that bisexuality is valid regardless of relationship status. A bisexual person in a monogamous relationship - whether with a man, woman, or non-binary partner - is still bisexual.

• Educating others. Share resources and information about bisexuality to combat misinformation and foster greater awareness.

By speaking up against discrimination and erasure, you help create a culture where bisexual individuals feel seen, respected, and valued.

Offer Resources and Encouragement to Seek Help

Many bisexual individuals struggle with mental health challenges but may be hesitant to seek support due to fear of misunderstanding or invalidation. You can help by:

• Providing access to LGBTQIA+-affirming mental health resources, such as therapists and support groups that understand the unique experiences of bisexual individuals.

• Encouraging self-care and self-acceptance. Remind them that their identity is valid and that they deserve love, respect, and happiness.

• Reassuring them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Normalize discussions about mental health and encourage them to prioritize their well-being.

By actively supporting the mental health of bisexual individuals, you help build a world where they feel empowered, affirmed, and included.

Moving Toward Greater Support for Bisexual Mental Health

The mental health challenges faced by bisexual individuals are complex, deeply rooted in societal stigma, and often compounded by invisibility - even within LGBTQIA+ spaces. However, these challenges are not inevitable, nor are they insurmountable. With greater awareness, stronger community support, and intentional efforts to affirm bisexual identities, we can create a world where bisexual individuals are not only acknowledged but celebrated.

By increasing visibility, challenging harmful stereotypes, and ensuring access to affirming mental health resources, we can help bisexual individuals live healthier, more fulfilling lives. This work is not just for bisexual people alone - it requires collective action from LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole. When we stand together to dismantle bi-erasure and biphobia, we create spaces where bisexual people can thrive.

Mental health matters for everyone, and bisexual individuals deserve care, respect, and resources that affirm their unique experiences. By prioritizing their well-being, we contribute to a future where every bisexual person has the opportunity to flourish in an environment of acceptance, understanding, and support.