TGV | Transgender Victoria’s Post

Dear Pride Family, How are you feeling? Really, how are you? If you are one of the LGBTQIA+ community members that the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey has been tracking since 2020, chances are that you may not be feeling that great. The data showed that LGBTQIA+ respondents reported higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms than non-LGBTQIA+ respondents across all age groups surveyed. While our community has made strides towards achieving legal protections and dispelling social stigmas, mental health disparities continue. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which serves not only to bring awareness to mental health issues, but also to help folks take actionable steps toward increased access to mental health and substance-use treatment care nationwide.  As our country’s political discourse becomes increasingly polarized, our LGBTQIA+ community members (especially our youth) are a favored wedge issue in public discourse. These distinct and chronic stressors related to our sexual orientation and/or gender identity lead to minority stress. These experiences are especially amplified for our LGBTQIA+ community members who hold multiple marginalized identities and who must carefully navigate social racism alongside homophobia and/or transphobia, for example.   However, we also know how incredibly resilient our very diverse community has been. Recent theories center on the “buffering effect” that connection to community can have on minority stress. This is not a new idea - bell hooks taught us long ago that “rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”  I found this to be true for myself when I navigated the loss of my father to COVID and simultaneously went through a painful divorce during the pandemic. In addition to seeing a LGBTQIA+-affirming  therapist, volunteering with She Fest helped ground me through that difficult time. I knew that no matter what was going on in my life, I had a group of queer and nonbinary folks who would be happy to see me and a volunteer project that helped build my confidence and connection to my community. If you are interested in building community and networks of social support with LGBTQIA+ folks, we invite you to join us as a volunteer at San Diego Pride, have breakfast with us at our monthly Community Building Workshops, attend Pride Power Summit this Saturday, check out the programming of She Fest (including their 2nd Annual Queer Speed Friending event on May 19th!) , our Latine Coalition, QAPIMEDA Coalition, Art of Pride, or the many other volunteer-led programs at San Diego Pride who are looking for folks just like you to get involved!  Together, let’s remove the stigma associated with asking for help and lean into community care this May! With Pride, Sarafina Scapicchio, MSW (she/her) Interim Co-Executive Director Full newsletter >> mailchi.mp/sdpride/1924

As an #Autistic woman I'm more likely to be sexually abused than I am to have a job. Shocking, but sadly true #IWD. 📝 9 in 10 Autistic women are thought to have experienced sexual violence (Cazalis et al, 2022) compared to 3 in 10 Autistic people of a working age being in employment (latest Labour Force Survey). 😔 These are hard hitting statistics to share this International Women's Day. Yet, very few autism charities identify or address this issue in their priorities. When I asked one CEO why, they said it wasn't an issue that was coming up when they spoke with Autistic adults. ⚖️ 5 in 6 women who are raped don't report according to the latest figures from Rape Crisis England and Wales. Fear of not being believed, alongside many other reasons contribute to this. We can't rely on consultation surveys to identify and tackle this issue. 🙏 Please help me to raise awareness of this issue by re-sharing this post #internationalwomensday #iwd2024 References: https://lnkd.in/eXQDysu4 https://lnkd.in/eDpBPxgh https://lnkd.in/eDfx_74D

In Canada, approximately 4,500 people die by suicide annually, with men accounting for about 75% of these deaths. The suicide rate among men is three times higher than among women, largely due to societal factors such as stigma around seeking mental health support and reliance on more lethal methods. Middle-aged men are particularly at risk, and this makes up nearly half of male suicides. In Alberta, the data are similar. According to Alberta Health Services, suicide rates are equally high, with men disproportionately affected. Men from indigenous communities and LGBTQ+ groups face higher suicide rates, among others. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources like Talk Suicide Canada (1-833-456-4566) and Alberta’s 24/7 mental health support line (1-877-303-2642) are available for assistance. Happy International Men's Day. #MentalHealthMatters

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and today is also International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. So let’s talk about both. From violence and discrimination to inadequate access to healthcare, homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia can have a devastating impact on the mental health of those affected, causing an increased risk of depression and suicide. Hate crimes relating to homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia are on the rise in the UK, and action needs to be taken. No one deserves to live a life filled with fear 💔 Let’s work together to create an inclusive world where those within the LGBTQIA+ community feel safe, accepted and respected 🙌 [Visual description: carousel is designed in bright yellow, pink and blue. Image 1: title, The impact of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia on mental health. Image 2: Impact of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia on mental health. Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia can manifest in various forms, such as stigmatisation and discrimination, internalised stigma and shame, family rejection, social isolation, violence and harassment, and inadequate access to healthcare, all of which can have a devastating impact on the mental health of those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Image 3: The importance of inclusion. Inclusion ensures that everyone from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives feels seen, heard, represented, valued, and respected. Inclusion also helps to create a sense of belonging, where everyone feels accepted for who they are without fear of rejection or discrimination. Image 4: Screenshots of headings from BBC News, The Guardian, Mancunian Matters, and The National Scot illustrating the rise in hate crime rates. Image 5: With this rise of hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community, it's crucial that those who consider themselves allies stand up, challenge and shut down homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Image 6: Here are some things that you can do. Openly share your support for LGBTQIA+ rights to show your solidarity and that you're a safe person, challenge bias, misinformation and negative stereotypes that you witness, hear or read, donate to LGBTQIA+ charities; with hate crimes on the rise, these charities will need more support than ever, and speak to your organisation about creating LGBTQIA+ resource groups, running awareness training and creating LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies.] #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #DiversityAndInclusion #DiversityInTech #Inclusivity #InclusionAndDiversity #BelongingAtWork #DEI #Inclusion

Shame, especially, separates individuals from society. Increasingly, numbers of families and communities are suffering from higher suicide mortality rates because of shame. Although an equal opportunity mode of death, LGBTQ+ youth of color are rather placed at even higher risk of suicide because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society more than their white and ethnic counterparts. Sadly: 📢 suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-14 (CDC, 2022); 📢 suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24 and is the leading cause in some states (CDC, 2022); 📢 LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns, et al., 2020); 📢 LGBTQ+ young people of color reported higher rates of attempting suicide than their white peers in the past year (The Trevor Project, 2023); 📢 Black transgender and nonbinary young people report disproportionate rates of suicide risk – with 58% seriously considering suicide and 1 in 4 (25%) attempting suicide in the past year (The Trevor Project, 2023).                                 Heroically, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a FREE Suicide Prevention Initiative entitled “Question. Persuade. and Refer. (QPR)” to reduce risk for suicidal behavior. QPR is often considered the equivalent to CPR for suicide. I am happy as a CDPH intern to help enlist everyday people from all walks of life to become properly trained on how to recognize suicide warning signs, effectively talk to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, and make referrals to professional care. We want to ensure that all communities have the tools and information needed to address the difficult topic of suicide and its impact on the community. Please view the informational flyer I have posted for more details. Feel free to spread the word to your networks. I hope that you, too, can join us in the fight against suicide. Suicide and Crisis Hotline – 988 #CDPH #QPR #intern #impact #mentalhealth #suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #community #gatekeepers #CDC #TheTrevorProject

One of the most tragic patterns in Autistic women’s lived experience is this👇 It’s far too common (90%!), and is why it is my second of three key reasons for needing to identify Autistic girls as early as possible. My top reason is suicide prevention, and they are linked. Why is finding us a life saving thing to do? 1. Suicide prevention 2. Child protection 3. Identity Steve Phillip Paul Vittles Della Wright #autismawareness #childprotection #safeguardingchildren #suicideprevention #autism

On World Suicide Prevention Day, it is crucial to reflect on the pressing issue of youth suicide in the UK, especially in London where young people face significant mental health challenges. The most recent data reveals a concerning rise in suicide rates —the highest rate since 1999. Young people, especially those under 35, continue to be heavily affected, and suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in this age group. Among the most affected groups are young men and LGBTQ+ youth, who face disproportionate rates of mental health struggles. Charities like PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide estimate an average of five young people are taking their lives each day. At Spark!, we recognise the importance of being there for young people—not just through words, but through tangible actions. Our mission to empower young people extends beyond employability. We want to foster environments where they feel truly listened to, supported, and connected. By offering compassionate and attentive support, we can create safer spaces for open conversations and intervention before it’s too late. Let’s stand together to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure that every young person knows they are not alone. #BeThere #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #YouthSupport #MentalHealthMatters

The numbers are staggering: 39% of young people who identify as LGBTQ+ seriously considered attempting suicide within the last year. Data from a May 2024 study by the Trevor Project, a crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth, also reveals that more than 1 in 10 (12%) actually attempted suicide. For transgender and nonbinary young people, the situation is even more alarming – 46% report having considered suicide within the last year. Shockingly, only half of those seeking mental health care were able to access it, according to the Trevor Project report. In an effort to address this critical issue, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which expanded nationally in 2022, introduced a subnetwork in 2023 specifically for LGBTQ+ young people. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in care for a vulnerable population by providing specialized support. Nearly a year since its establishment, the subnetwork is already showing positive results, as indicated by its data. To learn more about the impact of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline's subnetwork for LGBTQ+ youth and the efforts being made to support this community, check out the article. https://lnkd.in/eNZ3ehnb

💙 💕 MARCH 31 IS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY! HOW TRANSGENDER VISIBILITY IS IMPORTANT FOR MENTAL HEALTH: - Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported that their pronouns were respected by the people they live with attempted suicide at half the rate of those whose pronouns were not respected by housemates. - Research shows lower rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among transgender and nonbinary youth who were able to change their gender marker and name on legal documents. - More than half of transgender and nonbinary youth responding to the survey seriously considered suicide in 2021. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors require immediate treatment. MENTAL HEALTH AND THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY Many transgender people don’t experience mental health issues, or they have concerns that aren’t related to being transgender. However, the medical community has noticed a substantially increased risk for mental health conditions among transgender people. It is important to note that being transgender is not a mental health condition. However, many trans people experience mental health issues like gender dysphoria, anxiety and mood disorders, or other mental health conditions. SUPPORT If you or a loved one need support for transgender issues or other mental health concerns in the transgender community, here are some resources that may help. - LifeWays is available with mental health services and our 24/7 Crisis Phoneline: 1 (800) 284-8288. - The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention and crisis support organization for LGBTQIA+ young people with several resources. To reach the Trevor Lifeline, call 1-866-488-7386, text "START" to 678-678, or head to their website to chat. - The Trans Lifeline is available for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people who need someone to talk to. You don't have to be in crisis to contact Trans Lifeline. Call: 877-565-8860 - SAGE's National LGBT Elder Hotline provides support and resources for LGBTQIA+ elders 24/7. Call 877-360-LGBT (5428) to reach the hotline. - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 9-8-8 or 1-800-273-8255 or text “HOME” to 741741.