Thursday 7 October 2021

Mental Health Month and World Coming Out Day

We are in the throws of Mental Health Month and someone posted these great calendars that might be of use. The website also has ones specifically aimed at young adults, famillies, older Australians and workplaces.



On another blog I read that the topic for 2021 is Mental Health in an Unequal World to highlight the struggle to access mental health services within class, race and disability.  WHO has the slogan 'Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality' I will admit this is beyond my capability to write something useful and articulately encompassing the breadth of the issues there, especially in Australia at the moment. I do believe, however, that it's worth remembering if we strip the money out of Medicare on depression & other mental health issues then we can't help the majority of the people until their risk stressors become a full blown problem. It is better to help in preventative measures than come in after it has escalated. We can not afford to price mental health assistance out of the reach of the masses in this country. We have a crisis that needs to be addressed, and COVID issues has exacerbated that.

The lockdown has seen an increase in distress for all ages but also an increase in those seeking help and a decrease in suicide. So hopefully the stigma is being erased and the population is becoming better versed in recognising the signs and being able to provide adequate support. Black Dog has a series of webinars this month on Teen Mental Health, Mental Fitness and Breaking Down Depression. Timetable and Registration here.

October the 11th is International Coming Out Day. I know I've shared on this before but it's worth repeating, if someone has the courage to come out to you, the response should always be acceptance. Deal with your own issues about it privately. Follow the wise words of the magnificent Dolly Parton. Let's do our bit to reduce minority stress on those that are incomprehensibly still vulnerable in the 21st century. 


If someone does come out to you, according to an episode of Sex Education I've yet to watch, you don't say 'Congratulations' but my question, is what do you say that is appropriate? A quick google found this article and I think it is a good reminder of what not to say. I'm not 100% sure about the second last point. If someone told me my career choice was going to make life hard for me, I'd react pretty badly so I think it would be fair if this was the same. It seems to be in the same vibe of 'she was asking for it because she was wearing a mini skirt' (or as a judge recently in a ruled in a Sydney assault case, 'her clothes were provoking the attacker' to punch her & another guy in the back of the head. The judge didn't say whether the man attacked from behind also had provocative clothes or if it was the woman's clothes still the cause of the second assault. I digress).

While I don't have the words, here are some celebratory ideas to let the person know you have their back. If a child, you can go out for rainbow cakes and celebration shakes or better yet, make a rainbow cake together, to show the child you love them just as much as before and nothing has changed in your relationship.

If an adult, Mr Consistent has a LBGT label, as part of it's census inclusion campaign & history month. Those that follow my Insta know I'm a huge fan of these mixers, so in my opinion with this you can't go wrong. Can also be used as a mocktail, or so I'm told.








Conscious Step has some great socks that give back to the community.




If someone comes out trans or non-binary, then  the teen series Pocket Change Collective has a few titles that might be of interest. This series also covers art, poetry, the environment and cooking. Worth checking out. 

So even if you don't have the right words, you can still let the person know that you support them.

Lastly, I think this song nails it.


Hope you are having a great week, and if you aren't then let someone know.  Everyone else, check in with your friends. It's tough out there.

Further Links:
These came in on an email from the Body Shop. Shout out to them for an excellent email. I don't know anything about these organisastions but at a glace, look good.
Open Up (online weekly support groups for young people by yopung people - I think they mean young adults)
Linking with #Lifethisweek

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

24 comments:

  1. What great advice you've shared! #weekendcoffeeshare

    ReplyDelete
  2. This was a great post to read! So many helpful reminders! #kcacols

    ReplyDelete
  3. The calendar is full of great tips. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Over the years I'm realizing more and more that mental and physical health go hand and hand. This is great, thanks for sharing!
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm actually impressed that mental health is a topic that even gets discussed these days, once upon a time if you even mentioned you weren't feeling too well you were put away somewhere or called a loony etc. We have aspergers in my family, it's hereditary so we are well acquainted with that topic.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fantastic tips for mental health x #kcacols

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great advice - especially regarding the right things to say. I love that calendar too and will be sharing to use on the corporate newsletter I write.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this post. I have a friend that's gay. He's been married well over a decade. Nebraska isn't as accepting as I wish it would be.I love Dolly too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ya I agree with you, I think there is a lot of pressure to have the right words these days, things can be canceled so quickly. I think the intention and love that we have behind the words is what really counts. #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just heard about the new bisexual superman. Nice socks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have top google that. I've not heard that (but also not a Superman fan...)

      Delete
  11. I'm loving your posts on mental health and sexuality. I have one son who wants to be a girl, which I'm fine with, a daughter that is bisexual and an oldest son who is on the spectrum but the way I see it being normal is highly over rated.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a great post. Mental health needs to be spoken more and more as does inclusivity and allowing people to be free to live their authentic selves without harm or judgement. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like that calendar. THe ideas are great. Have a great week. I'm way behind on visiting everyone from last week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for sharing these ideas, I love the mental health month calendar! Thanks for linking up with #KCACOLS! x

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is a really good post and I really like the idea of the rainbow cake. The calendar is a wonderful piece of work.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the calendar and thanks for sharing and highlighting mental health as well as 'coming out' which still today, I believe people really don' know how to react. Have a lovely week. #lifethisweek

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sound advice and great links. That song is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I applaud your efforts to both inform and assist others. This is a top post for many who can use and share what you have here. Thanks very much for being someone who cares and wants to help those who may not get a great reception from those they love. I am getting more 'brave' and making myself vulnerable these days about mental health and what has affected me over the years and that can be something others (who may be reticent to say anything) might like to feel is an example to help them too. Thanks so much for linking up for #LifeThisWeek. Next week I will publish the second half of the Women of Courage Wrap but the optional prompt is "X Marks the Spot". Great to have your blog as part of the community here this week. Denyse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a doctor but I do think being open and frank helps vulneralbe people say what they are going thru, and that must help a little.Suffering in silence helps no one at all.

      Delete
  19. I hate that we live in a world where we have to teach people how to be kind to one another :( Coming out shouldn't even be an issue.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love calendars like this with an action to follow. Sometimes you just need to be told to be kind to yourself. Some sounds advice too about coming out. Acceptance is so important all round #blogtober22

    ReplyDelete
  21. An important post and lots of great resources. Thanks for sharing xxx

    ReplyDelete