Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness month. At the end of the month, I will be donating 10% of all May profits to the The Trevor Project.

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Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst teens & young adults? Heartbreakingly, LGBTQ+ youth are 3.5x more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual cisgender peers.*

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Many people and organizations try to push the agenda that these teens struggle with mental health due to their gender identity and sexuality, but research says otherwise. The discrimination, victimization, and outright hatred that LGBTQ+ youths go through puts them at a much higher risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

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Too many folks believe that being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is a choice (even when science proves otherwise). This month, I encourage you to love those who identify and love differently than you do.

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To my fellow Christians: I encourage you to love how Jesus loved. I encourage you to welcome these teens with open arms, to encourage them, and to love them.

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To my fellow allies: continue to speak out. Continue to rewrite the discriminatory narrative that has hurt and killed so many. Continue to call out ignorance and fight for the rights of our amazing LGBTQ+ friends.

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To my LGBTQ+ friends: I see you. I hear you. I love you. Please know that I am a safe person to come out to, to share your struggles with. When you are struggling, please know that you are not alone, and you are not without hope. You have a purpose here, and you are loved.

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*The Trevor Project

*Newport Academy