Pride Season and Your Mental Health

Angel loves, I'm so happy to share this resource guide. This was written in honor of Pride and your mental health... for my favorite queer loving community builder MESH. @mesh.lgbt 🌈 What are some tips you can give to folks to best take care of and preserve their mental health this Pride season?

Darlings, it is Pride and we are celebrating YOU in your allness – exactly as you are! Splendid. And please remember — you do not have to celebrate like anyone else, look a certain way, be in a relationship or live the way any other queer person does to validate your identity. Your identity is yours and it’s your own personal journey. You get to decide what that looks like for you.

Now let’s talk about mental health this Pride season (and everyday) because your well-being is truly precious. Mental health struggles (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts and so on) are real for us and intersect with our beautiful 2SLGBTQIA+ identities. Let’s absolutely normalize naming these experiences and asking for help if these difficult feelings, thoughts and emotions come up, so that we can gain the support we need.

Here are some wonderful practices to preserve your mental health during Pride (and always): • Set boundaries that honor your values • Ask for what you need • Take time to reflect and release by writing in a journal (bedazzle your journal) • Unplug and take space to check-in with your Self • Make a list of your strengths and read them out loud everyday • Spend time in nature • Move your body to help release tension and increase feel good neurochemicals • Treat your Self as you would a dear friend • Watch things that make you laugh • Have a short list of people online or IRL that represent you and empower you • Have small simple pleasures and rituals that add up and outnumber your stress • Surround your Self with respectful like-minded people that make you feel safe and empowered to be in your full expression • Seek out an affirming and inclusive Therapist

• Most importantly, tell someone who you feel safe with about how you’re feeling so you can be supported. We are worth being cared for and there are many affirming and inclusive resources that are readily available for our community (we’ve listed just some of them below). We got you. We’ve got this.✊🏽

🌈 What would you say to any folks who are struggling with their mental health when Pride brings on stress or discomfort?

While Pride season can be an amazing and exhilarating time, it can also bring up big feelings, emotions and moods. If we are in the closet or feel any type of insecurity, expectation, isolation, fear, worry or distress — this can impact our well-being. Let’s reclaim our Selves. Let’s buffer ourselves from isolation and rejection by actively seeking community that uplifts us and reminds us who we are. We need affirming, belonging, love and care so we must reach out to people who can listen to us, validate us, and help us in navigating our mental health. Seek out an 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming Therapist, Doctor, ally or advocate; connect with friends that make you feel good, queer online groups or IRL groups. If you tend to struggle with your mental health, understand your mind and body's cues that tell you when you are getting close to needing help so that you can anticipate asking for help before it feels too difficult. Overall, just tell someone who you feel safe with and who has earned your trust about how you’re feeling so next steps can be figured out and you can be supported. You are valid, you are worthy and you are enough. In fact, you are dazzling.

🌈 What are some tips you can offer to anyone who needs mental health intervention during an overstimulating Pride event?

Before you go to a Pride event create a safety plan just in case you become overwhelmed, stressed or overstimulated. Before the event, connect with people who aren’t attending that you can plan to touch base with if you aren’t feeling well. Identify who you’ll be with at the event and communicate what the plan is in case anyone begins to feel out of sorts, wants to leave or is in need of care. Share your location with friends, make sure your phone is fully charged before the event, bring water to keep yourself hydrated, bring snacks so you aren’t low blood sugar, and have a meeting place set with your friends in case you get lost or confused.

If something urgent occurs, depending on the severity — contact your Therapist if you have one, or call the appropriate organization right away (some resources list below have contact support) or 9-1-1. And be sure to carry your medical information with you if you have a medical /mental condition that requires specific care. Once you arrive to safety, have an aftercare plan to soothe and regulate your Self. Soft music, blankets, a bath, nature, cuddles, movies, take-out, friend visits, Therapy love, whatever allows you to rest and fill your bucket up.

🌈 What are some resources you’d recommend for folks?

• GMLA

Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality

https://glma.org/ 

• The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

• The Trevor Project Resources List

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/

• PFLAG

PFLAG is creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

https://pflag.org/

• Inclusive Therapists

Find a culturally responsive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming therapist that celebrates your full identity.

https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/

• GLADD

GLAAD is a non-profit organization advancing LGBTQ acceptance through fair, accurate, and inclusive representation through global, national, and local programs.

https://glaad.org/resourcelist/

• LGBT National Help Center

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) National Help Center provides vital peer support, community connections, and resource information through helplines and online chatrooms.

https://lgbthotline.org/

• Trans Lifeline

Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people.

https://translifeline.org/

• RAINN An anti-sexual violence organization providing a 24/7 national sexual assault hotline that is confidential.

https://www.rainn.org/

• Thrive Lifeline

A text-based crisis line staffed by people in STEMM with marginalized identities. Text “THRIVE” to begin your conversation 24/7/365, from anywhere: +1 . 313 . 662 . 8209

https://thrivelifeline.org/index.html 

Wishing you all the loves and many my rainbow angels, MESH: https://meshapp.lgbt

Fox Eros, M.A., Therapist (AMFT) @thepolyamorytherapist

foxerosinlove.com

thepolyamorytherapist.com