PRIDE MONTH
Written by Jose Caballero
*TW: discussion of suicide, eating disorders, and physical harm.
June is commonly known as "Pride Month." A month dedicated to commemorating and honoring the legacy of LGBTQIA+ elders who have paved the way, and the understanding that intersectional LGBTQIA+ activism and advocacy must take place every day of every year. Most importantly, June is a month to raise awareness about the disparities that hinder LGBTQ+ youth lives and their mental well-being.
Here are some statistics in regards to mental health disparities within the LGBTQIA+ community and how LGBTQIA+ identified individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health struggles due to a lack of access to health care, support, and more.
LGBTQIA+ teens are six times more likely than non-LGBTQIA+ identified teens to experience depressive symptoms.
One in three LGBTQIA+ youths said that they had been physically threatened or hurt because of who they were.
LGBTQIA+ youth are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal and over four times as likely to attempt suicide.
68% of LGBTQIA+ youths reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (including 3 in 4 transgender and non-binary youth).
Transgender college students were reported to be 4 times more likely to receive an eating disorder diagnosis.
With the aid of supportive families, communities, and peers, most LGBTQIA+ folks are highly resilient and will survive in the face of adversity. In one study, the usage of mental health services by LGBTQIA+ individuals was found to be 2.5 times greater than that of their straight counterparts. However, LGBTQIA+ folks are also more vulnerable to humiliation, anxiety, prejudice, and other unfavorable and traumatic experiences.
Many LGBTQ+ folks are afraid to tell others about this vital aspect of their identity because of the many negative perceptions. Those who actively exhibit this side of themselves risk rejection from others, including friends and coworkers, which only serves to heighten feelings of isolation.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
In honor and in celebration of the amazing people and organizations doing the work to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ communities and a dedication to supporting LGBTQIA+ folks who continue to struggle against discrimination and stigma, we put together a list of websites that contain resource databases and helpful LGBTQIA+ support accounts to follow.
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE, AND HELP IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE!
If you are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and
judgment-free place to talk:
Call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-565-8860
Call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386
Text Crisis Text Line by texting COALITION to 741741
For comprehensive information, resources, and physical harm:
Trans Lifeline Resources Page at translifeline.org
The Trevor Project Resources Page at thetrevorproject.org
The Mental Health Coalition's Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org
Google…
❤️ The Trevor Project Resource Center
🧡 Glaad LGBTQ Resources List
💛 Safe Zone Projects Resources
💚 Planned Parenthood Info and Resources for LGBTQ Teens and Allies
💙American Psychological Association LGBT Resources and Publications
Click on any of the following links to direct you to more resources:
https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Mental-Health_LGBTQ-Final.pdf
https://afsp.org/lgbtq-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention
https://mhanational.org/lgbtq/pride
https://www.activeminds.org/about-mental-health/lgbtq/
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/lgbtq-rights
A mentally healthy world is not possible without a just world. Use these resources to educate yourself, take action, and advocate for your own and your communities’ mental health, as well as ensure equitable access to resources, tools, and support for all!
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Written by
Jose Caballero