At the Heart of Wellness With McCall & Help Message from Pride, Courage, & Acceptance Maria “Mom and Dad, I am [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual].” You hear your child and look into their eyes as they search yours. They anxiously await your response to the three spoken words that carry the weight of world behind them. They are hoping for acceptance, unconditional love, and a safe space to be themselves. For some, acceptance is a given, while for others it is complicated and may prove to be more difficult. Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, CEO The Trevor Project, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention Dear friends; among LGBTQ+ youth, recently published their National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2021. They surveyed 35,000 Happy Juneteenth! Happy LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 from across the US, 45% were youth Pride! Happy almost of color and 38% were transgender or nonbinary. It’s not Independence Day! My surprising that COVID-19 has added to the unique challenges goodness, it feels wonderful that the LGBTQ+ community face every day. Only 1 in 3 survey to celebrate, doesn’t it? respondents found their home to be LGBTQ+-affirming and 80% June has been a remarkable stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful. month of commemorating our country’s progress. Outside of the home, 75% of LGBTQ+ youth reported We’re getting to a place of experiencing discrimination based on their sexual orientation or recognizing that many gender identity at least once in their lifetime. Half of all LGBTQ+ Americans have long been youth of color reported discrimination based on their excluded from the ‘liberty race/ethnicity in the past year and the percentage increased for and justice for all’ part of our Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ youth (60%) and Black LGBTQ pledge of allegiance. We’re youth (67%). slowly righting some painful wrongs, holding one another Discrimination, the lack of supportive home environments, and accountable and expanding the isolation of the pandemic have taken a toll on this young our definition of inclusion, community. This past year they have experienced poor mental diversity, accessibility and health (70%), considered suicide (42%), and many who wanted equity. counseling from a mental health professional were unable to receive care (48%). Yes, we still have a good distance to go. As we A Kind Word & A Gentle Hand celebrate these milestones Considering the challenges in the LGBTQ+ community, it is and make plans for our understandable that you might question whether you are summer vacations it is providing a nurturing, supportive environment for your child important to mark the during times of change in their lives. It can be reassuring to know progress that we have made that you are not alone and there are many ways to support your individually and as a nation. LGBTQ+ child to lessen their risk of depression and suicide: After this very long, dark chapter in our history, it Engage in positive reinforcement and open dialogue with feels all the more precious your child. Statements such as “I love you for who you to do so. All the flags, the are” can be reassuring and increase their self-esteem. parades, the rallies – the Provide them with a safe space at home and school to symbols that say to the affirm their sexuality and gender. world; I see YOU. I see and Allow your child time to practice self-care. Meditation, value and celebrate your exercise, art, reading, and spending time in nature are humanity. Much more of avenues to explore alone or together. this, please! Help them find connections to others in the LGBTQ+ community, online or in-person. Respect your child’s pronouns. (She/Her/Hers, All my best, He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs) Click here to learn more about gender pronouns and why they matter. Maria Allowing transgender and nonbinary youth to change their name and/or gender marker on legal documents such as their driver’s license and birth certificate. At McCall and Help we are here to assist and help you through Did you Miss our moments of change. Our diverse staff can help you see positive WZBG Interview? examples of what life can look like in the future for your child. We also offer programs to walk with you on your family’s journey. If Click on this link to hear this you are having difficulty accepting your child’s sexuality or month's interview on WZBG gender or would like tools to better support your child, we can 97.3 with Dale Jones and help. Acceptance doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and George Reyes Gavilan, remember you don’t have to walk alone. Parent Educator at the McCall Center for For more information about our Family Services Programs call Behavioral Health. Tune in (860) 496-2139 or email Leann Mitchell, LCSW, Director of on the 3rd Wednesday of Family Services at [email protected]. every month at 8:20 to hear us in real-time. Thank You UNICO of Waterbury We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to UNICO of Waterbury for their donation to Help, Inc. Their gift will fund the purchase of a new computer and speakers for staff. We are so very appreciative of the support from our board and community who recognize the value of our mission. Founded on October 10, 1922, in Waterbury, Connecticut, UNICO is the largest Italian American service organization in the United States. The UNICO National mission is to promote the image of Italian Americans along with Italian heritage and culture by supporting charitable, scientific, cultural, educational, and literary projects. To learn more visit: www.unico.org. Make a difference in someone's life and support McCall today. Our mission is to provide comprehensive integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment to help people lead healthier and more productive lives. Your donation will directly support our prevention, recovery and community programs and help us provide clients with the support they need Pictured from left to right: regardless of their ability to Maria Coutant Skinner, CEO Help, Inc. & McCall Center for Behavioral Health pay. Click here to donate Frank Travisano, Help, Inc. Board Vice President & UNICO Member today! Rosamma Vithayathil, Help, Inc. Fiscal Administrator .