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by Elliott Kozuch •
HRC highlighted a robust list of new resources it released throughout Mental Health Awareness Month.
Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation highlighted a robust list of new resources it released throughout Mental Health Awareness Month aimed at assisting the LGBTQ community and mental health professionals who serve the LGBTQ community, especially youth. May is officially recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, and particularly during this time of crisis these resources can be used to provide support people need.
“In a time when many people may feel that their mental health must take a backseat, we instead must lift up those who may be struggling and let them know we are there to support them,” said HRC President Alphonso David. Remaining at home does not mean you have to remain isolated, with an abundance of resources and opportunity to build community available online. No one person’s challenges are the same as another’s, but collectively we can end the stigma around mental health and create real change for the LGBTQ community.”
Studies show that LGBTQ people are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem and even suicidal thoughts compared to their straight and cisgender peers. These statistics are even higher for members of the bisexual+ and transgender community. HRC has also seen how LGBTQ youth are especially at risk of struggling with mental health given stressors such as unsupportive families, hostile school conditions, bullying from peers and a lack of adequate resources. To be clear -- mental health disparities for LGBTQ have nothing to do with being LGBTQ and everything to do with how society treats the community.
To support and empower the LGBTQ community, the HRC Foundation released the following resources:
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated mental health issues for many in our community, especially for those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic including communities of color and people living with HIV/AIDS. Stay-at-home orders have forced college students to return to homes that can be unwelcoming of their authentic selves. Gender-affirming surgeries have been put on hold for many patients. Economic turmoil is disproportionately affecting the very livelihood of LGBTQ people nationwide. Even as LGBTQ people work to survive -- let alone exist -- during this crisis, our own government is attempting to roll back health care protections for the most vulnerable in our community.
In spite of these challenges, HRC is committed to supporting LGBTQ people, and it will continue to work with our partners in office, across movements and around the world to affirm, uplift and demand action on behalf of the LGBTQ community.
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