Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
How LGBTQ+ people can protect their mental health during a traumatizing Pride season
With hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed over the past year, both at the federal level and in state legislatures across the country, it’s a difficult time for the queer community. Republican politicians, far-right online personalities, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists have launched vicious attacks against the community, especially drag queens and transgender people.
...“Staying informed but moderating the information intake is essential to avoid more severe mental health issues. You can take some time to observe and reflect on how you feel. It also helps to be open to listening to what those who care about you tell you. A person that loves you will share their concern. Being open to listening to them. Speaking with a mental health professional or joining a support group can help too.”
Dr. Manning agrees. “As we work on expanding our capacity for self-compassion, we can find support in not doing this alone. It can seem counter-intuitive. People used to tell me, ‘You just need to learn to accept yourself.’ But it’s hard to accept yourself when all around you, people are putting you down, making fun of you, and demonstrating that they think you have little value. We can more easily access self-compassion when we experience compassion, when we see reflected in other people’s behavior that we are worthy of care, consideration, and acceptance.”
“Other people can show us the path to self-compassion when it’s new to us, and can keep reminding us that this is possible. For a long time, when I judged myself harshly, I would remember the voice of a dear friend who always received me with total compassion. I couldn’t always find the words to be compassionate to myself, but recalling his words would be a needed jumpstart.”
...“Staying informed but moderating the information intake is essential to avoid more severe mental health issues. You can take some time to observe and reflect on how you feel. It also helps to be open to listening to what those who care about you tell you. A person that loves you will share their concern. Being open to listening to them. Speaking with a mental health professional or joining a support group can help too.”
Dr. Manning agrees. “As we work on expanding our capacity for self-compassion, we can find support in not doing this alone. It can seem counter-intuitive. People used to tell me, ‘You just need to learn to accept yourself.’ But it’s hard to accept yourself when all around you, people are putting you down, making fun of you, and demonstrating that they think you have little value. We can more easily access self-compassion when we experience compassion, when we see reflected in other people’s behavior that we are worthy of care, consideration, and acceptance.”
“Other people can show us the path to self-compassion when it’s new to us, and can keep reminding us that this is possible. For a long time, when I judged myself harshly, I would remember the voice of a dear friend who always received me with total compassion. I couldn’t always find the words to be compassionate to myself, but recalling his words would be a needed jumpstart.”
MORE
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/06/how-lgbtq-people-can-protect-their-mental-health-during-a-traumatizing-pride-season/
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
