As many of us know, June is pride month! It is a time of celebration, remembrance but above all affirmation. Nearly 55 years after the Stonewall riots LGBTQIA+ people continue to fight for everyone’s rates, while simultaneously affirming their own identities in a world that often does not. This rebellion against conformity and battle for authenticity makes Pride Month powerful.
Conforming to what society or others may want you to be when it is at odds with your own identity can lead to many mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance use disorder. We must keep in mind that in 2023 41% of surveyed LGBTQIA+ youth reported that they considered suicide (The Trevor Project, 2023). Despite the many social and political strides the LGBTQIA+ community has achieved, the community still deals with the politicization of their identities as form of oppression and discrimination. This oppression and discrimination have an adverse mental health impact on many LGBTQIA+ people. This is why Pride Month is not only revolutionary but essential. Pride is a time to show up unapologetically authentically, and boldly reminding the world that there is nothing wrong with existing as yourself.
If you or anyone you know are struggling with mental health centering around sexual orientation or gender identity here are some tips that can make a big difference:
1.) Pay attention to the warning signs: Do not downplay your feelings and thoughts. If you are feeling isolated, depressed, losing interest in things that mattered to you, negative self-talk and perception or thoughts of not wanting to be here.
2.) Finding Affirming Care: Seeking professional services such as psychotherapy and medical care is essential to all of us to maintain our well-being but it can be difficult for many in the LGBTQIA+ community to find these services that not only address their issues but affirm their identities and culture. It is important to find care providers who understand and affirm. The following websites make it possible to find LGBTQIA+ care providers:
Medical Care: www.outhealthcare.com, www.lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org,
Mental Health: www.psychologytoday.com/us, www.nqttcn.com,
3.) Find your community: It is important for all of us to feel connected to others. One key component of affirmation is finding a community that affirms one's being and existence. One way of building community is by seeking LGBTQIA+-affirming organizations, churches, restaurants, and events. For those who live in scarce areas with little to no LGBTQIA+ community please checkout these online communities to stay connected and supported:
Youth: www.trevorspace.org, Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok
Adults: Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok,
4.) Affirming Yourself: There will never be a substitute to self acceptance and love of oneself. In this era of identity politics it is important for marginalized communities to practice radical self acceptance. Radical self-acceptance is the intentional practice of fully embracing oneself, one's identity, and loving the entirety of their human experience with all its good and bad. You can affirm yourself with these following methods:
1.) Identify Your Passions: Embrace the things that you feel makes life meaningful and gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment
2.) Positive Self Talk: Use language and phrases that uplift who you are and what you do.
3.) Let Go of Negative People: This is one of the most difficult things to do depending on the person but is essential to developing a healthy sense of self. Any person who does allow you to be who are is not a healthy person for you to be around.
If you have any question or need any support please feel free to reach out to us at info@forustherapeutics.org
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