Picture this, it's mid-morning on a sunny, brisk Tuesday and I'm sipping on some Irish Cream coffee, my golden retriever, Benny, snoozing at my feet. My loud little parrot, Louie, sends a chant of "Keep going, Maddie!" through the peace. As their pet mom and occasional home office manager, I draw comfort from their presence. Only Louie’s occasional squawk shatters the tranquility of our little haven. My mind, however, is far from at rest. It’s springing, spiraling and bursting with ideas, waiting for the right moment to spill onto the page. Fueled by inspiration, I resume typing, trying to put into words the complex, often neglected subject of mental health within the LGBTQ+ community.
Acceptance is the first step, the first hurdle members of LGBTQ+ community face. Picture this, you’re a teenager grappling with complex emotions. You’re unsure about your sexuality, your identity; it’s bewildering, it’s scary. Imagine the confusion, the fear. Now consider the struggle. That's the reality for countless individuals. As I sip my coffee, I can't ignore how fortunate I am. I remember my spouse, Desmond, opening up about his struggles of acceptance. It was a long, arduous process, an internal battle that shaped his life significantly.
Speaking about the societal and cultural contexts of our self-perception and identity is always a mind-boggler. It's like trying to explain why I prefer coffee over tea, or why Benny has a penchant for chasing his tail. Societal norms, expectations, and judgments play a marquee role in shaping our self-perception. Desmond once confessed, as he stroked Benny’s sulky face after his tail-chase debacle, that society’s expectations and responses hugely affected his self-perception during his initial days of self-understanding.
Benny's tail-chasing exercise is amusingly perplexing, similarly puzzling is society's stigma around the LGBTQ+ community. This invisible oppressor is a constant companion, lurking in the shadows, casting a stark, cold pallor on an individual's life. Does it ever make you wonder – why can't we as a society move past it? Just like Benny can never catch his tail, no matter how hard he tries, individuals fighting this stigma sometimes feel they’re running in circles without reaching a breakthrough.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health Issues are like a massive, scowling elephant in the room. Everyone seems aware, yet many choose to look away. But it's there, imposing and unmissable. In the LGBTQ+ community, common mental health issues like depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies are exacerbated by additional layers of complexity. When you look at it this way, doesn't it just leave you bursting with bafflement, like trying to solve a seemingly impossible puzzle?
Speaking of puzzles, have you ever tried to solve a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box? It's a perplexing endeavor indeed. That’s what it’s like for many in the LGBTQ+ community who lack robust support systems. Louie, contrary to his usual raucous personality, becomes a bird of few words when Desmond is away. Just like him, we need our support systems around. Desmond's network of chosen family and allies played a significant role in his journey.
Imagine trying to teach Louie a new phrase to squawk. It requires patience, persistence, positive reinforcement and a whole lot of bird treats. Similarly, improvement of mental health within the LGBTQ+ community requires a multifaceted approach – policy change, mental health services accessibility improvements, and supportive networks, among others. Remember, we can make a real, positive impact by showing acceptance, spreading awareness, and fostering an open, inclusive environment.
Finally, one cannot overlook the strength and resilience within the LGBTQ+ community itself. It’s as diverse and vibrant as Louie’s plumage. Embracing diversity and promoting inclusion in all aspects of life, resembling our unique human puzzle, pieced together by an array of colours, shapes and sizes. Each of us is a part of the puzzle, fitting in our distinct way. As I glance upon the family photo featuring Desmond, Benny, Louie, and me, I feel hope. Together, we can advocate, educate, and create positive change. We owe it to our vibrant, complex, beautifully unique LGBTQ+ community.
Written by Madeline Sterling
View all posts by: Madeline Sterling