Stacey Alvarez, LMFT

Today is International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. In 1990 the World Health Assembly agreed to remove homosexuality as a mental diagnosis... from the International Classification of Diseases Handbook; the observance, shortened to IDAHOT, started in 2004 to commemorate that necessary decision. Today, all around the globe, we use our voices to spread awareness and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and to demand equitable public policies, rights, and freedoms. IDAHOT is observed in more than 130 countries, including 37 where homosexuality is illegal. If you would like to learn more or want to explore how to get involved, visit this link: https://may17.org/ #PrideandGraceCounseling #LGBTQ #pride #bisexual #gay #trans #queer #lesbian #queerchristian #lgbtqchristian #nonbinary #wellness #mentalhealth #therapy #church #counseling #christian #selfcare #faith #therapist #faithfullylgbt #selflove #May #visibility #equality #idahot #idahotday #May17

We all need this by now! No caption needed. Just listen! #nature #selfcare #relaxing

Abuse lives and grows in silence. It's up to us to not remain silent.

Influencing shame by making someone feel bad about themselves doesn't work. Internalized shame is a main influencing factor for many of the mental health problems we see in our world today. We can learn another way and we can heal the shame we feel inside.

Take a moment to ground yourself and radically accept whatever is in the moment. Let go.

This is lovely. Thank you, Nabisco Cookies and OREO.

When a relationship becomes painful and our partner behaves in a toxic manner, we can often blame ourselves, thinking it is our fault for loving them, yet it's not. Their behavior is a reflection of them and your behavior is a reflection of you. Extend yourself compassion for being a loving person.

The paradox of living life seeking out continuous positive experiences is that it leads us to not being satisfied in whatever we are experiencing in the moment, especially if the moment is not meeting our ideal. We then miss what is right in front of us. And when we try to avoid our negative experiences, our focus is on whatever it is we are trying to avoid. This leads to even longer interaction with what we don't want, increasing our suffering. Acceptance allows us to appreciate whatever we are experiencing in the moment, and when the moment isn't pleasant, acceptance relieves us from the suffering and reduces the amount of time we interact with the unpleasant experience. Acceptance of unpleasant experience is key to relieving ourselves from our suffering.

On this World Mental Health Day, choose to do one thing today that supports mental health, whether for you or someone else. It's a fundamental human need to need and rely on one another, so know that it's okay to ask for help. There is no health without mental health. Let's end the stigma today.