Celebrating Pride (with Mental Health in Mind)

June is Pride Month, honoring the historic Stonewall uprising (read more on that HERE), which began on June 28, 1969. Though the first Gay Pride Liberation March took place in Manhattan in 1970 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Stonewall, it took 30 years for Pride Month to become official.

Pride serves as an occasion for LGBTQ+ folks to gather and celebrate their freedom to live authentically. The LGBTQ+ community deserves affirmed, safe, supported, joyful, and mentally healthy lives.

If you're LGBTQ+ and experiencing symptoms of depression, you are NOT alone. The LGBTQ+ community experiences higher rates of mental health conditions, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression, compared to the general population. This is often a result of stigma and discrimination.

Specifically, LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk for suicide attempts. Here are a few statistics from the 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health:

• 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.

• 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year weren’t able to get it.

• 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year

LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society. Here are a few self care ideas the Trevor Project recommend:

• Connect with a safe, supportive community of young people or chat with a trained professional on TrevorSpace.org

• Create a self-care box; collect items that relax you

• Write down 5 things you’re grateful for

• If you’re in class/public, breathe in and out slowly

• Pick up 2 or 3 natural materials and feel them between your fingers

• Practice repeating kind words to yourself

Anti-trans legislation, hate-based crimes, and discrimination shouldn't overshadow Pride Month, but they can't be ignored. We hope those struggling with their identity or living in unsupportive environments find these resources from Mental Health America helpful.

More resources below:

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

A same judgement free support services for LGBTQ and questioning youth who are struggling or thinking about suicide. Available 24/7

Trans Lifeline - 877-565-8860

A free peer support phone service run by trans people for trans community, that operates from 10am to 5am EST.

Inclusive Therapists - https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/

Inclusive Therapists offers a safer, simpler way to find a culturally responsive, social justice-oriented therapist.

Need help now? Call or text The Lifeline at 988 24/7 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor.

Written and put together by Kaylee Garber, Mental Health Advocate and a proud Ally working with the Psychiatric Medical Practitioners Inc. (PMPI)