SammanthaThe month of June is known as Pride Month around the world!
In June of 1969, riots broke out after police raided a gay bar in New York, the Stonewall Inn (Archie & Griggs, 2022). These riots incited a global movement to support the LGBTQIA+ community, often called the Stonewall Riots.
Since then, we have made tremendous leaps as a society, with countless places worldwide legalizing gay marriage. Despite this, mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent in the LGBTQIA+ community.
In recent months, we have seen an uptick in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. Currently, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 491 different anti-LGBTQIA+ bills.
Florida citizens, in particular, are considering moving out of the state to avoid several recently passed bills, such as one banning the use of pronouns in public schools (Rozsa, 2023).
According to the National LGBT Health Education Center, those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community are also significantly more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
For these reasons, mental health resources and support for the LGBTQIA+ population is extremely important.
If you’re struggling, please remember that there is help, and you can reach out for support.
Here is a list of mental health resources for the LGBTQIA+ community:
General
This non-profit works to help support LGBTQIA+ folks and their family and loved ones with several resources.
GLAAD focuses on education and advocacy, both of which are essential in helping to fight the negative stigmas surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community and the mental health concerns that stem from that.
Youth Focused
This non-profit has many resources for LGBTQIA+ youth, with one of their most extensive services connecting people with trained counselors over text, call, or chat.
K-12 educators and leaders formed this organization to educate students about LGBTQIA+ topics and offer support.
Formed in 2010, this nonprofit encourages LGBTQIA+ youth worldwide to share their story and promote the concept that it genuinely gets better.
This non-profit works to unite and support LGBTIA+ youth worldwide in hopes of connecting and uniting others.
Hotlines
888-843-4564
1-877-565-8860
You can connect to specialized LGBTQI+ affirming counseling for youth by chat and text (text Q to 988) or by phone (press 3 when prompted), 24/7.
References
American Civil Liberties Union. (2023). Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures. American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights?impact=
Archie, A., Griggs, B. (2022, June 1). It’s Pride Month. Here’s What You Need to Know. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/01/health/pride-month-explainer/index.html
National LGBT Health Education Center. (2018, September). Suicide Risk and Prevention for LGBTQ People. National LGBT Health Education Center. https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Suicide-Risk-and-Prevention-for-LGBTQ-Patients-Brief.pdf
Rozsa, L. (2023, June 10). Florida anti-LGBTQ laws prompt families who fel unsafe to flee. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/06/10/florida-anti-lgbtq-laws/
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Comments
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