Last Thursday we visited LGBT Youth Scotland’s Edinburgh group to talk with them about the LGBT National Youth Council’s fantastic new mental health campaign “Your Mind Matters: Talk It Out” and to take part in the “I- Realities Art Cafe”.
The art cafe was an event in which young people were encouraged to explore the impact of discrimination on LGBT young people’s mental well being with art.The artwork created that day will soon be on exhibit as part of The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Over the years LGBT Youth Scotland has always made sure to consider the impact discrimination and stigma has on young LGBT people’s mental well being. Last year they carried out “The Don’t Closet Mental Health” campaign, which had the goal to help de-stigmatize mental illnesses and help encourage young people to talk about their mental well being. This year the NYC’s campaigns main focus is to raise awareness about the detrimental impact discrimination can have on a young person’s health and making it so they feel more comfortable seeking support for mental illnesses and in particular suicide and self harm.
The “Your Mind Matters: Talk It Out” campaign is also aiming to help mental health services become more LGBT inclusive.This will hopefully allow young LGBT people to approach these services and feel assured that they will be treated appropriately.
As a Think Positive ambassador and a member of the LGBT community I am delighted to see the fantastic work the NYC have done so far with this campaign. It is extremely important that everyone, no matter what their sexuality or gender identity, is able to access and fell comfortable with mental health services.
You can find out more about the NYC’s campaigns by visiting their site : LGBT National Youth Council website
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