Pride is a time when LGBTI+ people from all over the country can come together and celebrate who they are. For many young people, Pride is the first time they feel comfortable celebrating their identity because they are no longer alone. They can see their community all around them and meet others who have had the same experiences. It can be transformative.
This year we face a very different Pride month. This safe space, marching as a group on the streets of Dublin, will not happen this year as we play our part in responding to the pandemic.
While we cannot march together in Dublin Pride, we can come together as a community in a way we will never forget! Working with Youth Work Ireland, we are #BringingPrideHome for 500 LGBTI+ people across the country. We have created an incredible Pride Self Care Pack so they can mark Pride 2020 at home and know that around Ireland, their LGBTI+ friends will be wearing the same t-shirt, masks, and badges from their homes. This sends a powerful messaging letting LGBTI+ youth know that they are not alone. We are in this together.
LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown
During the past few months, the mental health of LGBTI+ young people has plummeted according to our LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown research. Our research highlighted that 93% of LGBTI+ young people are struggling with anxiety, stress or depression during the COVID-19 restrictions compared to 53% of the general youth population.
LGBTI+ young people do not stop experiencing crises during pandemics. Many feel isolated from their support networks who love and accept them for who they are. Some are experiencing emotional and physical abuse. They feel alone, scared and anxious.
Pride In Your Mental Health
Everyone goes through hard times growing up and when you are a grown-up! When you are LGBTI+, sometimes there can be extra issues that you may face such as coming out or accepting your identity. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed, or worried because of this. It can be hard to focus when studying or working and you may feel alone or isolated. If any of these feelings sound familiar to you, it is important that you do something about it.
- Take one step at a time: if you feel overwhelmed by all your thoughts, try
- looking at each of them separately. Focusing on fixing one at a time is easier than fixing them all at once.
- Seek support: talking to someone you trust can make things a lot easier to deal with. Saying things out loud gives you the chance to chat through solutions and get advice from people who may have similar experiences to you.
- Make a plan: find out more about the issue you are facing and ways others have dealt with it. Use this to create a plan for yourself with small steps to help you get where you want to go.
Try taking any of the steps above when something comes up for you. Avoiding an issue will not make it disappear. Do your best to deal with it and remember, you don’t have to do it alone.
You Are Not Alone
At BeLonG To, we are here for you – no matter what you are going through. Our Youth Workers are available to chat over phone, email or text – whatever you feel most comfortable with. They are there to listen, offer you information and signpost you to other support services if needed. This is confidential and they won’t judge you no matter how you feel or what is going on.
We also offer a free Crisis Counselling service in partnership with Pieta House. This is for LGBTI+ young people between 14 and 23 years who are self-harming or thinking of suicide.
To get in touch, visit belongto.org