CMHA celebrates Pride 2023
Jun 1, 2023
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services joins individuals and organizations worldwide to celebrate the history, courage and diversity of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) individuals for Pride Month in June.
CMHA TVAMHS will celebrate Pride by participating in summer events across the Thames Valley region.
- Woodstock Pride Family Day on Saturday, June 17th
- Strathroy Pride in the Park on Saturday, July 8th
- London Pride in the Park, Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd
- London Annual Pride Parade on Sunday, July 23rd
- St. Thomas Family Day in the Park on Saturday, August 12th
While Pride festivals across the province recognize Ontario’s vibrant and creative 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, it’s important to note that these individuals continue to face specific mental health issues and barriers for accessing supports.
2SLGBTQIA+ people are as diverse as the general Canadian population in their experiences of mental health and well-being, but they face higher risks for some mental health issues due to the effects of discrimination and the social determinants of health. This includes issues in finding safe, secure housing, appropriate health care, or a supportive work environment, particularly for transgender individuals and with people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and have other intersectionalities.
Additional factors that may impact mental health and well-being for 2SLGBTQIA+ people include the process of “coming out” (sharing one’s sexual or gender identity with others), gender transition, internalized oppression, isolation and alienation and loss of family or social supports. 2SLGBTQIA+ people may also experience other forms of marginalization – such as racism, sexism, poverty or other factors – alongside homophobia or transphobia that negatively impact on mental health.
For more on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and mental health, visit the Rainbow Health Ontario website.
If you or a loved one is looking for immediate mental health or addiction support, call or text, Reach Out at 519-433-2023 or chat online at www.reachout247.ca.