A 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] showed 41% of LGTBQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year.
“That should really worry us here in our county, and they don't need stigmatizing and disdain. What they really need is our love and support now more than ever, and we need to show up for our kids,” said Hartman.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, we need to begin shifting our narrative and stop dehumanizing our friends and neighbors who struggle with their mental health.
Last month, I wrote about the power of noticing. Letting someone know that you
have noticed changes in their mood or behavior can be a lifesaving act.
Did you know that one of the most powerful things you can do for someone is to
notice them?
Many of us are feeling more and more separated by our beliefs and convictions. So many people trying to understand how to feel more connected in a world that seems to value chaos and confrontation, anger and animosity. How did we get here? How did we become a country so very divided? How do we move from animosity to empathy? Moving from intolerance to agape (brotherly love), especially on a societal scale, takes time, effort, and empathy. But each step we take can have a ripple effect that encourages others to do the same. Here are a few ways we can help foster love and understanding: