Happy Pride Month to all the girls, gays, and theys! I’m so proud to be a part of the bi/pan community in which I feel properly expresses exactly who I am and always have been. I recognize what a privilege it is to be out and wish hope, health, and healing to the rest of my queer community.

In honor of pride month, I’ve been reflecting on queer mental health and how I can continue to create access and resources for our community. Queer mental health is a priority for me personally and professionally. The statistics are always heartbreaking when I see them knowing our community is hurting and in need of support. With a history of homophobia and ostracization in this country, the LGBT+ community continues to suffer higher rates of mental health issues.

The LGBTQIA+ community is at “a higher risk for experiencing mental health conditions — especially depression and anxiety disorders. LGB adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition. Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals (people whose gender identity corresponds with their birth sex) individuals to experience a mental health condition.”
- NAMI

While access and resources for queer folks increases every year, there are still many gaps including lack of knowledge/understanding from the medical community, homophobia, shaming, misdiagnosing, and more. Belonging Counseling continues to strive for inclusive, affirming, and equitable services to the queer community and recognize it as a practice in action not just in words. I am committed to continue growing and learning to create better services to our queer community, and I appreciate my clients who have granted me the privilege of walking with them through their life journey.