Prideful Minds: Mental Health Awareness in the LGBT+ Community

Happy Pride Month to our LGBTQ+ community and allied friends!

Pride month began as a protest and a fight for basic human rights. The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a turning point, sparking a global movement that continues to advocate for equality and justice. The first pride marches commemorated the anniversary of Stonewall in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In 2024, over 50 pride events will be held in the United States from March to November. While an increasing number of cities and states are recognizing and celebrating Pride Month, extensive research indicates that LGBTQ+ individuals remain at high risk for suicide, mental health challenges, bullying, and harassment.

According to The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention non-profit organization, 39% of LGBTQ+ youth considered attempting suicide in the past year. 84% of LGBTQ+ youth wanted mental health care and only 50% received treatment. They also found an overwhelming 90% of LGBTQ+ youth stated their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics and anti-LGBTQ+ laws. To see the full results of the recent 2024 study, check out https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/assets/static/TTP_2024_National_Survey.pdf

This study shows that the LGBTQ+ community continues to fight for their basic human rights. According to the ACLU, as of May 31st, 2024 (a day before the commencement of Pride Month) 515 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced. To see more details on these bills please visit https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2024

Pride Month is truly a protest this year.

AllMinds Grow

LGBTQ+ mental health care holds significance beyond June, extending throughout the entire year. With the lack of mental health resources, the anti-LGBTQ+ laws introduced, and the unique challenges this community faces, it is vital that we find other ways to support this population. Many people are afraid to speak up (rightfully so) but this does not mean we should stop advocating. Below you’ll find some ways to support this community and yourself if you identify within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

MindsUnderstand

This part is for the allies. As you read the daunting statistics about the challenges LGBTQ+ people face, you’re probably wondering how you can help. As the author and fellow queer behind this post, these suggestions are personal to my heart but also filled with research you can follow up with. Here are some of my ideas of how you can help us: Create space for us to exist! What do I mean by that? Well, using inclusive language can go a long way. Change ladies and gentlemen to folks, everyone, friends, etc. (there are many alternatives, I promise). Please take a moment before assuming you know someone’s gender/sexuality because of how they dress, sound, speak, walk, etc. We are more than just our gender and sexuality. Curiosity is the antidote to assumptions. Those are just a few quick ways to share with friends how they can be an advocate and ally in your life. Here’s a great resource that has other ways you can be an ally to your immediate community.

https://reports.hrc.org/being-an-lgbtq-ally?_ga=2.182803942.1330711149.1717779097-182416916.1717779097

MindsElevate

In this section, I’d like to focus more on those who do not identify as cisgender or heterosexual.

Tip #1: Find and Create Your Chosen Family

I’d love to say that finding a queer-friendly or queer-identifying therapist will be the end all be all for your mental health. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough of us (YET). In the meantime, focus on finding friends who help you feel seen, heard, and confident in your identity/ies. Start with researching support groups or meetups in your local community. Maybe create one of your own? Then take another step and look at organizations that can help you build your chosen family. I’ve listed a few of my favorites below:

Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/

The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Them: https://www.them.us/

Folx: https://www.folxhealth.com/

Tip #2: Engage in LGBTQ+ Euphoria

Unfortunately, our world is still working on making spaces more inclusive for ALL genders and sexual orientations. We must work to find ways and places where we can explore euphoria rather than dysphoria. Through social media, we can connect with communities, businesses, fellow individuals, or brands that enhance our sense of euphoria. As a mental health therapist who works closely with the LGBTQ+ population, I continuously recommend my clients write down ways they feel dysphoria and then follow up with a discussion of ways they might feel euphoria. As their “therapy homework”, I advise them to go home, try one of those activities, and journal about how it made them feel so we can discuss what happened during our next session. This is the way we can focus on building confidence and inner compassion.

Tip #3: Celebrate the small wins

Did you recently come out to a trusted friend? Celebrate! Did you recently find a queer support group online/in person? Celebrate! You wore an outfit that helped you feel more gender euphoria? Celebrate! The world can be dark sometimes. It’s okay to celebrate when things feel good, go our way, or we are supported in micro and macro ways. We’re here for a good time AND a long time!

Resources for Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, know that help is available. Reach out to mental health professionals, support groups, or trusted individuals in your life. Here are some helpful resources to explore:

• Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org/lgbtq

• The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

• https://pflag.org/resource/support-hotlines/

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988

Here are our reflection questions for the month: 

As an ally: How are you making your world safer for LGBTQ+ people in your life?

As an LGBTQ+ identifying person: Find one way you will explore euphoria this month.