Pride and Mental Health: Finding Balance During Pride Month

By Steven Maisonet, LMSW

While Pride is a celebration of community, resilience, and perseverance, it can also be a sensitive

and challenging month for many people. Pride reflects not only a commemoration of a turning

point in LGBTQIA+ history in the U.S., but also a time when we ideally celebrate the joys of our

differences, from sexuality and gender identity/expression to the many ways we live our lives.

Yet for some, Pride can feel emotionally heavy.

Pride often stirs up feelings of validation alongside memories of neglect, rejection, or hardship.

Although the intention of Pride is to come together through community, understanding, and

celebration, for many individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other emotional

challenges, it can also become a source of stress. Pride may remind them of difficult

relationships, past experiences, or painful periods in their lives. Because of this, it can be easy for

our mental health to be impacted by the overwhelming nature of Pride.

As we experience a cultural shift toward month-long visibility, validation, and affirmation

through media campaigns and consumer products, we are often simultaneously confronted with

ongoing invalidation. This can show up in the comment sections of Pride-related posts, through

exposure to homophobic and discriminatory rhetoric online, and even within our own

relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. It can be easy to lose sight of what Pride

represents when you find yourself caught in a shame spiral.

So, here are some healthy and slay tips to help you stay positive, emotionally grounded, and

connected to community during Pride:

1. Embrace yourself and all your uniqueness

The LGBTQIA+ community is not a one-size-fits-all community. Pride is a connection to

everything and everyone. Don't minimize yourself because no one looks or feels exactly like

you. Part of your uniqueness is knowing that you are one of a kind. Celebrate the one-of-a-kind

person you are and embrace yourself.

Confidence comes in many shapes, just like being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is easy

to overgeneralize and assume that people who identify as LGBTQIA+ all share the same beliefs,

but the truth is that, just like a fingerprint, we are all human and have our own experiences,

beliefs, kinks, identities, and expressions.

2. Find your community

Pride is a moment where all of us come together to celebrate our uniqueness, which means that

you already have people celebrating you. That's one less thing to be socially anxious about.

There are many great resources and communities out there waiting for you to join them. Pride Month Mental Health can and should extend throughout our lifetimes.

Find your community at TrevorSpace

3. Reduce the negativity and the shame

Pride can stir up some negativity from people who may not be educated on LGBTQIA+ topics or

who hold conservative and hurtful beliefs. This is a month where you are celebrated. And yes,

this goes beyond just Pride Month, but during Pride Month it can feel like people who seek to

hurt or invalidate others become extra vocal.

Reduce the noise. Choose who you follow, what you read, and what you consume. Sure, this

doesn't stop people from being discriminatory, but it can protect your emotional and mental

health from feeling constantly invalidated.

4. Know yourself and others

Pride is a wonderful time to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and it is also a time to

get it right. Research pronouns, gender identities, expressions, and lived experiences.

It is easy for us to dress up and celebrate, but it's not just about the festivities. It is a lifelong

process of learning, growing, and educating ourselves. The more confident you are in knowing

that everyone deserves a chance to be validated, the better you'll feel about showing up for

yourself and others.

(This one is especially for you, allies.)

5. Take care of your health

Not only does Pride bring out the best parts of us, but it can also bring out some of the not-so-

good parts too. Sometimes the desire to fit in can come at the cost of our wellbeing, meaning we

may engage in behaviors that feel liberating in the moment but can also be impulsive.

Take care of yourself. Focus on your needs. Maintain your boundaries and always practice safety.

Shame is a slippery slope, so stay true to yourself while also using your best judgment.

Our mental health plays a huge role in our overall wellbeing and being proud of yourself while

living in a space that embraces all of who you are can be incredibly healing.

Whether you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally, or a family member, this is for you.

Living authentically can be one of the most stress-relieving things a person can do.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community is granted the privilege or

opportunity to fully embrace themselves. Many people have to constantly monitor and adjust

their tone, attitude, personality, or expression just to feel safe, and that can be emotionally

exhausting. Someone may be out and proud in one setting but feel the need to hide in another.

As we celebrate Pride, remember to be kind, patient, and understanding. You never know who is

struggling, who is healing, or who is still trying to understand themselves.

Mental health is a crucial part of overall health, and recognizing distress in yourself and others

can be one of the greatest forms of self-care and self-love. As you celebrate and live out loud this

month, or simply live in your own time and space, remember that you are allowed to have

feelings. You are allowed to feel overwhelmed and ask for help. Support is available, and

reaching out for help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.

If Pride feels empowering, overwhelming, or somewhere in between, know that you do not have

to navigate those feelings alone. Therapy can provide a space to process identity, relationships,

anxiety, depression, family dynamics, and the unique challenges many LGBTQIA+ individuals

face. Support is available, and healing does not have to happen by yourself.

Live loud, love all of you, and be kind. Happy Pride!