As Father's Day approaches, we know that not everyone has the kind of relationship with their father that can be easily captured in a standard greeting card. If you've gone "no contact" or "low contact" with a parent to protect your mental health, we know that this requires courage. That's why, if you have complex feelings about this holiday, we want you to know that you are seen, understood, and, yes, celebrated. To that end, we'd like to share with you a personal essay written by our very own Sam Dylan Finch. Sam's experience as an LGBTQ+ adult who chose estrangement will likely resonate with any adult who has made the difficult decision to choose themselves, especially in a culture that emphasizes that family is everything. Sam writes, "I know that the ways in which my parents couldn’t love me are only a reflection of the ways in which they couldn’t love themselves. That’s a deep suffering I’ve known, too — and while I cannot free my parents or anyone else from that pain, I can do everything within my power now to free myself." The journey to liberate oneself after trauma is lifelong, but we think Sam's words offer a glimpse of what the path to self-love might look like. Read the essay below, and if you feel called to, leave a supportive comment for those who might be feeling alone on this holiday. https://lnkd.in/eEQaybgb
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Coming out in non-affirming spaces can be extremely difficult for queer people, and can negatively impact their mental health. While coming out in these spaces can be extremely challenging, for many, it can also free them to live their authentic lives. Here are some things to keep in mind: 🌟 Prioritize your values: Focus on what’s important to you and let these values guide your decisions. 🔒 Consider your safety: Assess the safety of your communities and relationships before coming out. 💪 Validate yourself: Self-affirmation is key. Remember, you are not broken or a mistake. Acknowledge your authentic experiences and feelings. 🌐 Build an affirming community: Find relationships that celebrate your whole self. Safe spaces, both ideologically and physically, are crucial. 🧠 Seek mental health support: Choose experienced and supportive mental health providers who respect your identity. Living authentically is a journey. We hope these tips help you navigate your path with confidence and support. https://bit.ly/35XnVbN 🌈 #PrideMonth #MentalHealth #LGBTQIA+ #WorkplaceInclusivity
Coming Out: How Faith, Culture, and Queerness Can Coexist
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Founder & CEO, Stronger U; President & Founder, THRIVE Lifeline. Wellness Coach & Educator, Medical exercise practitioner, DEIA expert, Crisis support expert. 25+ years working professionally with vulnerable populations.
Some reasons why we contemplate suicide as queer people (and why non-carceral support is so important) We might want to die because of: > Navigating violence and abuse perpetuated by homophobia and transphobia > Feeling intense distress from dysphoria and barriers to accessing gender affirming care > The internal conflict, shame, and guilt of internalized homophobia and transphobia > Being ostracized and rejected from family and others who were “supposed to” love us > Struggling to survive, materially and emotionally, in a world that oftentimes actively seeks to keep us out > Facing barriers to accessing basic needs such as healthcare, housing, employment, food, etc When the carceral mental health system also often perpetuates homophobia and transphobia, and isn’t knowledgeable around how our queer identities intersect with our trauma and other mental health needs and identities, then it makes sense that many of us face harm and trauma when we seek help, too. Having support that is rooted in consent, autonomy, and humanity, that affirms and understands our identities and their impact on our experiences in the world, allows us to care for and heal ourselves in the ways we need to. Join us next Thursday to Ask a Queer Peer Supporter! Drop-in Question Session with THRIVE + Stronger U teams. We expertly support queer folks in our communities through acute crises, identity-based needs, and chronic marginalization Details: Register at tinyurl.com/ask-queer-peer $10 cost 1 hour long June 27, 11:30p GMT / 7:30p ET / 4:30p PT Stronger U partners with THRIVE and uses a revenue sharing model, donating funds, peer support, and free training to THRIVE, which provides free anonymous mental heath and identity affirming lifeline conversations, including non-carceral suicide and self harm support. #MentalHealthSupport #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Trans #Queer #TraumaInformed #CommunitySupport #PeerSupport #LivedExperience
Ask a Queer Peer Supporter
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This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we are uplifting Leah’s story 🌈As a queer teen, Leah (they/them) navigated mental health challenges and suicidal ideation while living through multiple traumatic experiences — leading to a C-PTSD diagnosis in adulthood. Leah describes the difficulties of meeting the expectations of their parents while being bullied and harassed at school, fueling a lifelong struggle to stay alive. Yet, Leah says that their mental health diagnosis has deepened their understanding of who they are — and why they are here. In our 2024 U.S. National Survey, 70% of queer young people reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and 55% reported symptoms of depression. This number increases for nonbinary young people like Leah. Yesterday was C-PTSD Awareness Day, an important time to acknowledge the community of LGBTQ+ young people living with complex post traumatic stress. While Leah’s story is only one unique perspective of someone living with C-PTSD, they offer us this important reminder: “As a twenty-seven year old living with C-PTSD, I do everything on behalf of my childhood self who didn’t feel seen, heard, or understood. If you’re feeling that way, know that there is an adult out there who survived and is championing you to survive, too. Grant yourself the hope to cling to light in the darkness. The world deserves to have you in it; you deserve to be here.” Read Leah’s full story here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gmjMji6F #CPTSD #MentalHealth #SuicidePreventionAwarenessMonth #LGBTQ #TheTrevorProject
Clinging to Hope: Honoring C-PTSD Awareness Day Clinging to Hope: Honoring C-PTSD Awareness Day
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June is all about Pride 🏳️🌈 a month in which special attention is paid to the position, emancipation and acceptance of gay men, lesbian women, bisexuals, transgender people and other people from the LGBTQIA+ community… But we also need to acknowledge that June is the Month in which we raise awareness towards men’s mental health issues. A topic in dire need of destigmatisation. We’re discussing mental health more now than we ever have before. People are becoming more open about their mental health, and we’re all learning better ways to support each other. But people may often underreport men’s mental health, with men not reaching out for the support they need. 600.000 Men a Year… 58.000 Men a Month… 14.000 Men a Week… 2.000 Men a Day… 86 Men an Hour… Almost 2 Men a Minute Take Their Life… Due to Mental Health #mensmentalhealthmonth
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If you know me at all, you know that I’m extremely vocal about mental health. Each year when May 1st approaches, I plan my regularly scheduled Mental Health Awareness Month outreach. I implore my friends and loved ones to open their hearts just a tiny bit wider for those around them that might be struggling (and let’s face it, we’re all struggling, so I know this is a big ask.) I organize spaces for my teams to share and listen. I share my own stories of the ways suicide and struggles of mental health have touched me on a molecular level. And every year, May comes and goes, and we continue to hear stories like those of Nex Benedict. Stories of bullying. Stories of negligence. Stories that could be prevented if it weren’t for the complete lack of support, and aid, and basic empathy for the growing number of kids that identify as LGBTQ+. For the last 6 years, The Trevor Project has published a U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. And for another year in a row, the results show an alarming rate of self reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth. Lest you think this is a youth problem, I remind you it doesn’t stop there. Where corporations were once committed to creating diverse and inclusive workspaces, lawmakers are now moving to decimate the safe spaces we cherished during our 9-5. And as a newly-out member of the queer community, I took for granted as a “closeted ally” that these spaces would always exist, and would re-welcome me when I was ready. I never dreamed the doors would close before I had the opportunity to proudly walk through them. So this month, don’t just “be a better ally.” Don’t just “lead a listening session.” Take real action to ensure that members of the LGBTQ+ community (and ALL underrepresented communities) have access to affirming spaces. Because without them, there are real, measurable consequences. In the very wise words of an anonymous message of encouragement at the bottom of The Trevor Project’s annual report, be the role model you always needed. Please 🏳️🌈 https://lnkd.in/g65xt-Jd
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June is also Men's Health Month! NAMI Mass aims to highlight concerning statistics affecting our male partners, friends, loved ones, and colleagues. By raising awareness, we aim to empower men living with mental health conditions to seek the help and support they require, in any way they feel comfortable. 💚 According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), in 2022, men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women. 💚The Center for Disease Control reports that LGBTQ+ men are more likely to live with a mental health condition than their straight or cis counterparts. 💚Healthline reports that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color men are just as likely to have a mental health condition as white men, but often have less access to mental health care. 💚According to Mental Health America (MHA), men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, substance use, and stressful life events due to social norms, reluctance to talk, and downplaying their symptoms. Please visit https://lnkd.in/ew5pkePq for resources! #MensHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwareness #LGBTQMen #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthInequality #MentalHealthStigma #MensMentalHealth #BreakTheStigma
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LGBTQIA+ Counsellor | Group Facilitator | Speaker | Expert in providing inclusive, empathetic, and respectful mental health services to the queer community |Advocate for safe spaces & connection.
I'm thrilled to share with you my latest piece, "A Father’s Courage: The Complex Journey of Coming Out Gay Later in Life" It draws on my own experiences and the insights I've gained through my work with Gay Fathers Worldwide, this guide is written to support, empower, and assist gay fathers embarking on their journey of coming out later in life. The process of coming out, especially as a father and a husband, involves navigating a myriad of challenges – from the dynamics within one's own family to the broader societal perceptions and the personal quest for self-acceptance. In "A Father’s Courage," I dig really deep into these issues, offering not only my personal reflections but also practical advice and emotional support to help others through this transformative journey. Central to this guide is the importance of mental health and wellbeing, mirroring my work in Bent Couch Counselling in its commitment to inclusivity, professionalism, and unconditional support. It also highlights the critical role of community and open communication, providing strategies for creating supportive networks and fostering an environment of understanding and empathy within families. I invite you to explore this guide, which I hope provides a source of strength for anyone navigating or supporting someone through the profound journey of coming out as a gay father. It's a testament to the courage and resilience of those who choose to live their truth, offering guidance every step of the way. https://lnkd.in/ecijF2JF #GayFathersJourney #LGBTQIA #MentalHealthSupport #BentCouchCounselling
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July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month — an important time to center the mental health and lived experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) LGBTQ+ young people. Of course, one month of recognition will never be enough. For decades, BIPOC communities have faced systemic inequalities, structural racism, discrimination, and social injustices — all of which have profound impacts on mental health and livelihood. Injustice is a heavy and unnecessary burden to bear. This BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, it is essential to highlight the disparities that exist in access to mental health services among BIPOC communities. Research from our 2024 U.S. National Survey shows that Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ young people had higher rates of considering or attempting suicide in the last year than their white peers. That’s why we must continue to advocate for equitable resources and destigmatize both asking for and receiving help. As we also recognize Disability Pride Month this July, we uplift BIPOC folks with disabilities living beautiful, full lives — and acknowledge the additional barriers faced by folks with layers of marginalization. To help further these conversations and continue breaking down boundaries to mental health care, we wanted to provide a few resources that cater specifically to the needs of BIPOC and queer and trans BIPOC folks: 🧡 The LoveLand Foundation 🧡 National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network 🧡 Therapy for Latinx 🧡 Therapy for Queer People of Color 🧡 Black Trans Men, Inc. 🧡 Trans Lifeline 🧡 Black Line
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'Barbie' life lessons! "...It’s no surprise that in the movie 'Barbie,' the moment that caught many critics’ attention was when the gorgeous doll that is eternally young enters the real world and, for the first time, sees an old woman whose face is wrinkled. " 'You’re beautiful,' young Barbie says, gawking. "The director was making a statement. "Unless it’s your own grandparents — for which everyone seems to make an exception — we treat the elderly in America with indifference or intolerance. We complain that they slow things down. We joke that they can’t keep up with technology. We all but ignore them with advertising and programming. We mock them with expressions like 'OK, Boomer' or 'Get Off My Lawn Guy.'... "...There is a definite connection between how a society treats its members and how they feel about themselves. As Levy writes: 'In study after study … I found that older people with more positive perceptions of aging performed better (on tests); were more likely to recover from severe disability; they remembered better; they walked faster, and they even lived longer.' "In other words, if you feel your culture values you, you are more likely to value yourself. And the more positively you feel about your aging, the longer you are likely to live..." (Source: https://buff.ly/3H444dB) In fact, for over 20 years, "a large body of experimental and longitudinal work has shown that individuals’ views on aging make a significant difference for how healthy and long they live." (Source: https://lnkd.in/gCFgTNyj) Ashton Applewhite Thank you for helping raise awareness! #ageism #implicitbias #stereotypes #olderadults #Barbiemovie #agebias #deficitanddeclinenarrative
I don’t love the headline, and can’t abide the phrase “our seniors.” (I’m not anyone’s senior, how about you?) But it’s a powerful piece about the relationship between self-perception, longevity, and ageism. “If you feel your culture values you, you are more likely to value yourself,” writes Mitch Albom. “And the more positively you feel about your aging, the longer you are likely to live. So perhaps we should reevaluate how we treat elderly people in this country. We should eliminate mocking portraits of doddering old men and women as swiftly as we now eliminate stereotypes of Black people, Asian people or LGBTQ+ people.” Huzzah! Becca Levy, Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press
Mitch Albom: Suicide spikes amongst our oldest. Are we making matters worse?
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Join my 5-Week Decision-Making Quest | Emotions are data for better decisions | Transformational Leadership + Communication Advisor | Integrating Indigenous Wisdom to Unlock Authentic Leadership Potential
Yeses, how we treat the elders in our community matters. And Americans are HORRIBLE at it. Ask yourself some NEW questions: 1️⃣How do I communicate about the elderly? 2️⃣Is it in an affirming manner or a dismissive tone? 3️⃣Do I make jokes about aging and not address within myself my own fears so that I am not contributing to the misunderstanding of the very thing I will be facing soon? 🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼 Those three would keep anyone busy thinking, reflecting and discovering conditionings about themselves for a bit. ******** I’m a Transformational Navigator specializing in leadership and communication strategies. I guide you in unveiling your distinct Operating System (OS) while unraveling ingrained biases and conditioning that disrupt your emotional cadence in leadership. Let’s get you better outcomes in 2024. Who is gonna hire me today? And also book Ashton as your next speaker. Because I promise, everyone in your organization is aging.
I don’t love the headline, and can’t abide the phrase “our seniors.” (I’m not anyone’s senior, how about you?) But it’s a powerful piece about the relationship between self-perception, longevity, and ageism. “If you feel your culture values you, you are more likely to value yourself,” writes Mitch Albom. “And the more positively you feel about your aging, the longer you are likely to live. So perhaps we should reevaluate how we treat elderly people in this country. We should eliminate mocking portraits of doddering old men and women as swiftly as we now eliminate stereotypes of Black people, Asian people or LGBTQ+ people.” Huzzah! Becca Levy, Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press
Mitch Albom: Suicide spikes amongst our oldest. Are we making matters worse?
freep.com
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UX Designer | Mobile Gaming Interaction Design Specialist | Swim Instructor | Unapologetically Authentic Human. I make interactions playful & approachable 💖
3moYes thank you, this definitely resonates with me and my situation. I just try to pass the day like any other day and stay off social media as much as I can that day