CMHA celebrates Pride

5 June 2023

CMHA HPE 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 HPE will celebrate Pride by encouraging allyship internally, and developing strategies to increase knowledge, awareness, and non-judgemental, safe spaces for staff and clients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. We are proud to announce that we will be marching in the Belleville Pride Parade this year and encourage all staff, friends, family, and clients to join us. We are rallying staff to come together and show their colours by creating rainbow clothing to wear to the Parade. 

We are focusing our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts on gender and sexuality for the month, providing information and resources for staff to understand the history and perspectives of this marginalized group of individuals.

CMHA HPE is partnering with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre and the Rainbow Caregivers Network to provide a free information session on supporting transgender youth from the perspective of lived experience. All are welcome to attend. More information can be found here.

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.