I have been through a lot in my life as I am sure many of you have as well. I truly believe that if you go through life absorbing the fact that it isn’t a smooth road, handling the unexpected will be manageable. Don’t get me wrong, Trauma and the Unexpected comes with a lot of struggle tied to it. I recently did a Podcast collaboration with G-Rex from the Popular Podcast “Sh!t That Goes On In Your Head.” I truly loved our conversation because it was packed with raw and honest conversations about life’s struggles. We focused heavily on the LGBTQIA+ community and the children of today. Surviving Life comes at a much younger age then when I was a kid. We had our struggles with school, heartbreak, friendships and family issues. Rarely, was sexual identity even a part of our conversations. I believe that many of the kids I grew up with hid their true feelings of sexuality.
Today, it is such a different picture when it comes to identity struggles. It is a much freer world in the acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community; however, we still have ignorance and prejudice in the corners of our society. G-Rex and I talked about how she came out to her family and how accepting they were of her. I told her that I learned from the teenagers in my life how much pressure today’s youth have on them to label themselves, straight, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender etc. Pronouns, also play a big role in today’s youth’s world and how they identify. The main issue that G-Rex and I see is that there really isn’t the assistance needed in the school systems across this country’s school districts. There should be open LGBTQIA+ clubs in all schools and all Guidance Counselors should be trained to deal with the confusion that comes at this time in a child’s life. I also believe there should be more open talk in the classroom environment. As a therapist I worked with many clients who’s anxiety and depression all originated from the fact that they couldn’t be true to themselves and living their authentic lives.
I will never understand the fear of people with those who live their lives authentically. I mean shit I live in the state that a teacher can’t allow the little boy in their class talk about his two Dads. I mean there really is something fucked up about that. I listened to G-Rex as we talked more and how even as adults the services are there but most aren’t even aware of ways that they can seek out to get help. We both do believe that talking about mental health issues is becoming more accepted but this country has a long way to go. This is the premiss why G-Rex and I both have mental health Podcasts. We want to be the beacon of light to help others who struggle, feel lost, anxious and feel depressed. If we normalize the conversations the hope is that individuals will seek out help before they are in a full blown crisis mode.
G-Rex talked about how she was in a state of crisis a couple of years ago and that if it wasn’t for the hotline 988 that she dialed that day well, her story may have ended. She wants the message that there are so many avenues of support out there. I decided to devote this blog to the education of these resources. I want to pass on the message that G-Rex shared in my Podcast by doing my part in the world. I also want to encourage those who know someone that is struggling with their sexual identity to try an educate yourself about the specific struggles they may experience. Life can be so hard and I think each of us need to do our part in getting educated. Learn how to build our acceptance for those who are different then ourselves, to accept the mental health struggles people experience and to be a source of light to those that are in this phase of their lives.
Please take a listen to the full Episode with G-Rex, Episode 158 and I believe you will gain a little more insight into yourselves or others in your life. You may be that person who is stuck in your ways but I truly believe that you can Evolve. Life is about self-growth and change. We can identify our faults and prejudices, decide that you want to be more empathetic and knowledgable about others in your world. Below I am going to list some of the hotlines and support systems that G-Rex shared with me. I would like to ask you for one favor, please share this blog and share the information at the bottom with those in your life. The reality is, we really never know when a person in our lives may have hit rock bottom and are ready to end it all. Be a source of light to others and intern you will see the Evolution in yourself.
Here are the links that G-Rex shared with me.
PFLAG- https://pflag.org/
GLSEN- http:www.glsen.org/
GLAAD- http://glad.org/
988- https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/
Find A Helpline- https://findahelpline.com/
POSITIVE THOUGHTS CREATE POSITIVE ENERGY
GO OUT AND EXPLORE ALL OF THE WIDE OPEN SPACES IN YOUR WORLD
CIAO,
ILISE
LISTEN AND EVOLVE WITH ME
