October is LGBTQ History Month. Today, let’s talk about the history of LGBTQ+ mental health. SPOLIER: It didn’t go well.

Many LGBTQ+ people do not have connections to the community as a whole. They experience isolation and the negative effects that come with it. How can isolated LGBTQ+ people overcome these challenges? Why is access to the larger LGBTQIA+ community important to our health? Read to find out!

Youth in the LGBTQIA+ community struggle to find their place and their people. Read to learn how LGBTQIA+ clubs that have a focus on mental health can benefit youth.

As we know, community members already struggle with mental illness more often than cis-straight individuals. The community does not need their place of work, their livelihoods, to add to this crisis.

Just like hiding our gender or sexual identity puts a strain on our minds, hiding mental illness does too. Internalization does not make these issues go away, but rather they are solidified and more stress-inducing than if they were not hidden. Just because others can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there and harming your well-being.

Not being accepted is not as harmless as simple disapproval. Rather, it is concern over if the person will harm or out-them to others who may harm them.

Nothing is more important than to stand up for what you believe in.