Supporting LGBTQ+ Mental Health During Pride Month

Happy Pride Month! It is so fitting that one of the most beautiful months of the year is used to celebrate the vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ community and all it has to offer.  One of the main goals of his month is to highlight the importance of acceptance, equality, and the right of all to feel safe in our communities.  It doesn’t matter if you're 2SLGBTQ+ or if you even know and love someone who is a part of this community. All are welcome to join in the celebration. Let’s talk about how to bring about awareness and identify how we can all provide support and allyship and reflect upon the mental health challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals,

2SLGBTQ+ individuals often experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, often due to a variety of social factors such as the social stigma, discrimination, and rejection that is unfortunately still a part of our society. If you can’t relate, just take a second to imagine how exhausting it must be to be unsure as to whether or not you will be accepted or even treated with basic respect when you enter a room or meet someone new. These challenges can be overwhelming, impacting well-being and the sense of belonging.

Empathy breeds understanding and compassion, so let’s talk about how everyone can learn, commit to creating safe spaces and provide support.Here are three ways to show support for our 2SLGBTQ+ friends.

1. Educate Yourself: Understanding the unique challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals is the first step. How do you do this? Start by asking! If you have someone in your world who is willing and able to sit down and tell you about their lived experiences, grab a coffee and do it. Again, developing empathy is key. Making connections to help your friends and loved ones feel heard and understood is an amazing gift. If you don’t know someone personally, read! Find your local 2SLGBTQ+ community’s website and look at the resources they have curated. Read about experiences, learn appropriate terminology, and stay informed about the issues affecting the 2SLGBTQ+communities.
2. Create Safe Spaces: Whether at home, work, or in social settings, foster an environment of acceptance and inclusivity. Use inclusive language and display 2SLGBTQ+ symbols so you can reduce the need for folks to guess whether they are entering a safe space where they will be respected and supported. And speak up! Challenge discriminatory behavior when you see it. You don’t have to be aggressive. Just a simple statement to acknowledge that you won’t tolerate hateful comments, the use of stereotypes or inappropriate humour can have a powerful impact, especially when more and more of us commit to fostering safety.
3. Be an Ally: Stand up against discrimination and support 2S LGBTQ+ rights. Participate in Pride events, advocate for inclusive policies, and offer your voice to amplify the messages of the community. This is the month to do it! Look for Pride events in your area and provide your support.
4. Be an ally in locating mental health resources: Being a supportive ally can go beyond listening and understanding. Help your friends and loved ones find professional support if they want it. We can all agree that finding a therapist who “gets us” isn’t always easy. Walking alongside folks as they search for supportive mental health resources is crucial. Encourage 2SLGBTQ+ folks to seek therapy with practitioners who understand their unique needs, and don’t be afraid to ask them the tough questions if you aren’t sure.. Highlight available resources like 2SLGBTQ+ support groups, crisis hotlines, and online communities.
   • Here are a few to get you started: 
   • https://kidshelpphone.ca/
   • https://www.youthline.ca/
   • https://pflagcanada.ca/
   • https://itgetsbettercanada.org/
   • https://www.virtualhospice.ca
5. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all: Finally, if you’re reading this and still saying “I just don’t get it”, and you’re not willing to educate yourself, empathize and make positive connections, then how about keeping it to yourself? Just saying…

By actively supporting the mental health of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, we contribute to a more inclusive, compassionate society. This Pride Month, let's commit to making a positive impact, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Let understanding and empathy blossom into support during this pride month and beyond.