Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride Month at Hills
July is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! Here at Hills Neuroscience Integrative Psychology, we wanted to acknowledge this celebration and remembrance of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.
As an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, we want to acknowledge the resilience and accomplishments of the community while also recognizing the challenges the community continues to face in coping with managing their mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community face the following risk factors for developing mental illness:
• Coming out
• Societal and Family Rejection
• Trauma (e.g., physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, homophobia)
• Substance Use
• Homelessness
• Suicide Risk
• Inadequate Mental Health Care
With these risk factors, how do we face and manage these possible challenges?
According to Paul Kwon’s study (2013) on resilience in LGBTQIA+ communities, he proposed a combination of social support, process and manage emotions, and find activities that bring hope and optimism when facing adversity and prejudice. For example, in San Diego and across the world, there are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for those from the LGBTQIA+ community which can function in managing the risk factors mentioned prior as the meetings and community can support people coming out, can be a place that accepts rather than rejects, and can help those suffering substance abuse.
Resources:
Alcoholics Anonymous LGBTQ Meetings
The Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s Provider Directory
Here at Hills Neuroscience, we identify as an ally and resource for the LGBTQ+ community. Our team comprises trained professionals who have formal training experience in multicultural awareness, diversity issues, and gender studies. Our goal is to support our patients by providing them insight, skills, and treatment that continues to embrace their fullest self and potential.
References:
https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/LGBTQI
Kwon, P. (2013). Resilience in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 17(4), 371-383.
