LGBTQIA+ Wellness and Strengths Building for My Mind

Following a welcome, an introduction to the discussion, we will establish a safe space. We will to look at mental health across cultures, and acknowledge the ways our ancestors took care of themselves. Looking at interconnections, we will discuss stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and depression; and after a break, there will be a discussion on self harm and suicide.

We will look at and discuss factors contributing to suicide including environmental - external and internal, familial, communal, societal - religious and cultural influences, economic/job opportunities and finances, sexual abuse and violence, domestic/intimate partner violence, and different ways inter-generational, trans-maternal and vicarious trauma impacts a person's life, their out look toward life, in their present world and, if cycles aren't broken, healing hasn't begun, can play in one's future. And, if time allows, we will discuss the role and effect alcohol and substances on physical and mental health - bi-directional cause…