PRIDE: Honoring Your Mental Health

“Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought — and continue to fight — for full equality.  Pride is both a jubilant communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity,” writes President Joe Biden in A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month 2021.

Members of the LGBTQI+ community began to fight for their rights during the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and many members are fighting mental and emotional battles that may not be visible on the outside.

Did you know?
*LGBTQI+ adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition.
*Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals to experience a mental condition.
*LGBTQI+ youth experience greater risk for mental health conditions and suicidality.

PRIDE month can be a time of reflection and celebration. In 2020 due to COVID-19 celebrated looked and felt differently. This past year many members of the community faced additional stress due to isolation from supportive friends and community. Many faced unique challenges quarantining for unsupportive and un-affirming family members.

If you identify as a member of this community we want to encourage you to please take care of your mental health. We understand that LGBTQI+ persons may deal with tremendous amounts of stress concerning their identity, childhood trauma, bullying, and abuse.

Honoring your mental health may look like:

• Reaching out to supportive friends and family who can hold space and validate your unique experience
• Form alliances with other members of the LGBTQI+ community and allies for social engagement
• Seek mental health services from providers who hold a non-judgmental safe space for you
• Setting boundaries around people and places that may be triggers for you
• Engage in the work of living in your unique and authentic truth

We want you know know that we see you, and we honor you.