- ABC of Mental Health
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- ABC of Mental Health
Hello! Welcome to another edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to better mental health — one newsletter at a time. This week’s theme is Being a Good Ally since it’s Pride Month. We bring it to your inbox this Thursday to make your Thursday a little therapeutic!
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One relevant recommendation:
A Short Reel: At TST, we deeply believe in the power of empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Pride Month reminds us to continue our journey to become better allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Here’s a reel to explore more ways to do that.
Two quotes on Allyship and Advocacy:
Dana Alison Levy, an American author, suggests that allyship requires ongoing, active support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community:
“Being an ally, first of all, is a constant act - not a state of being.”
Cassandra Duffy, an American author, encourages the youth to stand up for their rights for equality and justice:
“The beauty of standing up for your rights is that others see you standing and stand up as well."
Three TherapyShorts from TST (on being a good ally)
Allyship is a verb: Being an ally is more than identifying as one, it is an ongoing and active process. It's more than just standing up for the decisions that impact the LGBTQ+ community. It involves using inclusive language, correcting others who make hurtful comments, and providing unwavering support when witnessing discrimination or bias. Allyship is not a one-time act but a lifelong commitment to advocating for equality, understanding, and love. Example: Imagine you have a colleague who is constantly interrupted during meetings. As an ally, you can speak up and say, “I'd like to hear what they were saying,” ensuring their voice is heard. This proactive step demonstrates that allyship involves action, not just passive support.
Affirmative Action: It is crucial to take deliberate steps to include and support LGBTQ+ individuals such as promoting equal opportunities, LGBTQ+ businesses, anti-discrimination measures, inclusive hiring, and programs that support their rights and well-being to create a more level playing field. Example: Think of a hiring process at your workplace. If your company implements a policy to recruit and hire candidates from underrepresented communities actively, it helps address historical inequalities and promotes diversity. Supporting and understanding such initiatives is part of being a good ally. Affirmative action also entails challenging our biases: How do my identity and experiences influence my perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community? What messages did I receive about the community from my family, culture, or religion growing up? Have I ever made assumptions about someone’s gender or sexuality? How can I be more mindful of this in the future?
Coming out: Coming out is the process by which someone discloses their LGBTQ+ identity to others. It can be a significant and vulnerable moment. If someone is coming out to you, it’s important to understand it’s a huge sign of trust. Ask them about confidentiality and how you can support them. Example: If a friend confides in you that they are gay, being a good ally means responding with support and acceptance. You could say, “Thank you for sharing this with me. I support you, and I'm here for you.” Additionally, respecting their privacy and not disclosing their identity to others without their consent is crucial.
A QUESTION?
How many hours of sleep do you generally get?
Less than 6 hours
6-10 hours
More than 10 hours
I believe in power naps
Love and light,
The Social Therapist
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