Happy #Pride month all! I find it important to recognize Pride month on several different fronts. As the CEO of a suicide prevention organization, it is highly important that the LGBTQ+ population is understood because unfortunately the rate of suicide is 4x higher than other youth. Throughout my life and career my LGBTQ+ friends and acquaintances have made me a better person and a better leader. Why not celebrate and acknowledge those individuals!
We are in some divisive times and unfortunately this is a topic that causes people to stir. Sometimes I ask myself, WHY? Why the hatred, why the exchange of unpleasantries, why does one person's existence bother another's to the point of having to belittle. Whether we like it or not we have to practice and get to a place of acceptance in every aspect of our life and the bottom line for me is that I should be nice to others. After all, my mom taught me that!
Yup, I am a mental health guy. I'm a therapist at heart. I've spent a career working with children and adults who are classified by our society in one way or another as "different". I've listened to lots of stories from people, some telling the truth, some telling me lies and some telling me a mixture of both. What I learned is this: They are all people, and they all have a unique story and have had a unique path in their life. I've managed to stay centered in all of this because I accept people as human beings.
Now I know the age-old argument that exists on this topic (among others) of how can you accept someone who you think has done something wrong, either in the eyes of the law or in the eyes of God? Well, my approach is that the world is not black or white, it is grey. Until you are in the shoes of another or "listen" to the story of another, it is not that easy to say right or wrong.
Why did I go down this road for a Pride month post, well when we do not accept people as unique human beings then we end up with a bullying culture. This bullying philosophy is connected to a suicide rate for LGBTQ+ youth 4X higher than youth who identify as heterosexual. Also, remember that suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-34. WE have a problem in our society to address! I do not have all of the answers, but if I am going to start anywhere it is that of acceptance because we must save people's lives, not put them at risk.
CHADS Coalition for Mental Health #SavingLives #Acceptance