Bi+ Health Awareness Month: Honouring Whole Selves & Whole Health

Vanessa Porter
Mar 2
3 min read

Every March, we mark Bisexual Health Awareness Month — a time to recognise, affirm and advocate for the health and wellbeing of bisexual+ (bi, pansexual, fluid, queer and otherwise non-monosexual) people. This month is not just a calendar moment — it’s a call to shine light on the unique challenges and strengths of bi+ communities and what it means for mental health support in spaces like Be/Here.

What Is Bi+ Health Awareness Month?

Bisexual Health Awareness Month (#BiHealthMonth) was established to:

Raise awareness about the physical, mental and emotional health disparities faced by bisexual+ people
Advocate for resources and affirming care that recognises and respects bi+ identities
Inspire action to improve wellbeing across healthcare, community and support systems

For 2026, the theme focuses on claiming the right to care — affirming that bisexual+ people deserve competent, respectful, accessible health care without having to justify who they are or minimise their experiences

Why Bi+ Health Matters

Bisexual+ people often experience health disparities that are distinct from those of both heterosexual and gay/lesbian peers. Research shows they are more likely to experience:

Higher rates of depression and anxiety
Greater risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Substance use and chronic stress
Healthcare avoidance or dismissal in clinical settings

These patterns are not random — they are linked to persistent biphobia, invisibility, and systemic barriers in both straight and queer spaces.

One large review of health research notes that bisexual people consistently report higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders compared to heterosexual and monosexual peers, underscoring that these disparities are real, measurable, and widespread

What Bisexual Health Realities Look Like

Bi+ people can face:

Stigma within healthcare systems, where providers may misunderstand or dismiss bisexuality
Microaggressions or erasure, even within LGBTQIA+ spaces
Pressure to “choose a side” (gay or straight), leading to identity invalidation
Isolation when there’s no bi-specific community or support

All of this adds up to a double burden — discrimination from the broader society and invisibility within queer spaces. These experiences, over time, take a toll on mental and physical well-being.

Why This Matters for Mental Health

Disparities in mental health aren’t about individual “weakness” — they are shaped by persistent stressors related to identity, belonging and access to care. For bisexual+ people, this means:

Navigating identity legitimacy in relationships, work and healthcare
Managing internalised stigma and anticipation of rejection
Coping with minority stress — chronic stress from stigma and discrimination

Recognising these patterns is vital when offering mental health support that is not just affirming, but competent, contextualised and accessible.

At Be/Here: What This Month Means to Us

Bisexual+ wellbeing is central to intersectional queer mental health.

At Be/Here, we believe:

Your identity matters in your care — not just your symptoms.
Mental health is inseparable from lived experience, community and recognition.
Healthcare should affirm your whole self — not erase or separate parts of it.

This month, we recommit to:

✔️ Providing therapy spaces where bisexual, pansexual and fluid experiences are understood and celebrated

✔️ Offering support that recognises how stigma, erasure and minority stress impact mental wellbeing

✔️ Tailoring resources that help bi+ people feel seen, supported and connected

Your wellbeing isn’t a footnote — it’s essential.