Pride Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. While we hope that everyone, including LGBTQ+ people can live happy and healthy lives, we know that sometimes there can be stigma that makes it harder for someone who is LGBTQ+ and pride is an opportunity to address mental health issues LGBTQ+ individuals may face. By doing so, we can raise awareness and take action to support the LGBTQ+ community, thereby improving our overall well-being as a society and fostering a more inclusive, supportive environment.
Here are some common issues LGBTQ+ individuals face and how we can deal with them!
1. Discrimination
Discrimination continues to be a global issue LGBTQ+ people face. 73% of LGBTQ+ youth reported facing discrimination at least once. Discrimination may cause someone to feel they cannot be themselves and concealing one's sexuality or gender identity can take a toll on someone's mental health, leading to self-isolation from friends and family.
What We Can Do:
- Join and support GSA clubs at schools where LGBTQ+ individuals are accepted without judgment.
- Speak out against discrimination and support LGBTQ+ rights.
- Educate ourselves and others about the impact of discrimination.
2. Coming Out
For some people in the LGBTQ+ community, especially young people, coming out can be a major challenge. This is due to the fear of rejection from close family members or friends. Doing so, causes them to keep their identity hidden from even those closest to them causing self-isolation.
What We Can Do:
- Create environments of trust, acceptance, and support.
- Show empathy and respect. Understand that coming out is a personal decision.
- When someone comes out to you, offer resources and support without pressure.
You can learn more about coming out to family members here and coming out to peers here.
3. Healthcare Access
Recently, some members of the LGBTQ+ community have had trouble finding medical professionals that they feel comfortable with. The lack of understanding and ability to navigate the identities and backgrounds of LGBTQ+ individuals makes it harder for them to access mental health care.
What We Can Do:
- Promote the need for better healthcare services.
- Support training for healthcare professionals on LGBTQ+ issues
- Advocate for more inclusive healthcare practices.
Remember, creating a safe and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ people is essential. By taking these steps we can contribute to a more supportive society where everyone can thrive. Check out LGBTQ+ rights and our other LGBTQ+ pages for additional information.