The Calm Blog

05/11/2021

Did you know that transgender veterans die by su***de at 2x the rate of cisgender veterans and about 6x the rate of the gen pop? This is unsettling...

05/11/2021

It’s Friday! You know what that means:
Today Carys discusses the challenges transgender individuals face inside the military and as veterans. Carys covers shoddy policies, the VHA, and infuriating stats that will make you drop your Dunkin iced coffee (please don’t, that stuff is expensive). With a bit of sarcasm, tons of research, and respect, Carys does her best not to rage type this intriguing examination of a transphobic institution and its deadly consequences.
https://www.thecalmblog.com/official-calm-blog/dishonored

02/11/2021

We are not just a blog. We are a movement.

CALM empowers you to take control of your mental health care and human rights. We want to showcase the entire spectrum of humanity as we do this. Volunteer to share your story, expertise, or thoughts with our readers. Send us an email or visit our website!
Talk to you soon ;)

02/11/2021

"I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked at welcoming places that do not accept any discrimination of any kind. Unfortunately, not everyone has had the same experience. People face workplace discrimination all the time. This blatant disregard for others can add to the struggles of anyone with mental health issues, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community."
- Writer Emily shares her thoughts on workplace discrimination of the in our most recent blog post,
"The Workplace: A Call For Action".

02/11/2021

Toxic workplace culture is a common topic in the mental health space. But what about when that toxicity is directed at only one group? Never mind being overworked, underpaid, and undervalued, the LGBTQIA+ community faces unique challenges as they make their way through the rat race. Unforchantly, the effects of these challenges go far beyond the urge to quit or for a 10 a.m. drink (hey, it's five o'clock somewhere!). In all seriousness, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have adverse mental health issues due to workplace violence, harassment, and discrimination. Read more on the subject in our short-blurb, perfect to read on your break!
https://www.thecalmblog.com/official-calm-blog/officialblogs-theworkplace.

Discrimination in the workplace affects the mental health of LGBTQIA+ individuals, but we can change it.

30/10/2021

Did you know that most LGBTQ people were not raised by people who identify as LGBTQ? These individuals might not have the ability to seek support from those who understand their struggles. Were you raised by LGBTQ parents/guardians? Let Us Know!

30/10/2021

Oh No! Your request for disrespecting LGBTQIA+ individuals cannot be filled. We apologize for the inconvenience but implore you to try the RESPECT page instead. Most users find tremendous success by using this basic human skill! You can also visit https://www.thecalmblog.com/
to learn more about why respect and equality is important to the mental health of the LGBTQIA+ community

29/10/2021

Our mission is to enable LGBTQIA+ individuals and our allies to speak out on the injustice within the mental health care system. We are here to give you a voice, to share your expertise and your story. We know that doing so takes much courage. Some are ready for this huge step, others are less confident or uncomfortable with online exposure, which is 100% valid. That is why we will share your story anonymously at your request. To help with the process and keep it accessible, we accept submissions unedited (grammar and spelling were not my forte when I started either...). It can be long or short, funny or serious, as long as it's honest and respectful. We want to hear from you, and you'd be surprised how many others need your story as well. Visit our website to know more!
https://www.thecalmblog.com/beinvolved
Follow us for more on LGBTQIA+ mental health

29/10/2021

Phone? Check. Mask? Check. Wallet? Check. Keys? Check....I feel like I am forgetting something? Never mind! My ability to have basic human decency for everyone never left my side ;)
What about you? Do you have everything you need?
Mmmh. What about your access to helpful, LGBTQIA+ friendly resources, hotlines, and links? Here, let me get that for you:
https://www.thecalmblog.com/resources

28/10/2021

It is vital to notice how you are doing mentally throughout the day. Take a pause and check-in with yourself. Find your calm. Reflect. Refocus. You got this!

28/10/2021

28/10/2021

Masking is a behavior an individual performs to hide, alter, or "mask" their real personality to conform to social pressures, abuse, and/or harassment. In the LGBTQ+ community, this behavior can be manifested in many different ways. An example would be a transgender individual dressing, acting, and speaking like the gender they were assigned at birth in front of transphobic family members, rather than their true gender. It is important to recognize this behavior in yourself. It is harmful to your mental health and wellbeing, adds stress, and lowers self-esteem (amongst other things). This holiday season, remember that no matter what your family or friends say, think, or do, YOU ARE VALID. YOU DESERVE RESPECT. YOU DESERVE TO BE LOVED.

26/10/2021

As Halloween approaches, we get scared by goons, goblins, and of course...mental health care inequality. Did you know that 22% of transgender individuals claim to have avoided health care out of concern they would face discrimination? Did you also know that evidence shows inherent preferences for heterosexual people versus Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, and Q***r people are common among heterosexual health care providers? These facts, and many more, add to disparities and inequality in mental health care for LGBTQ+ people, who are already at a higher risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and death from su***de. Thankfully, CALM and similar groups/organizations are working to close the gap! You can too. By joining our writing community and sharing your story, you can be a Community Advocate for LGBTQ+ Mental Health and start having an impact

22/10/2021

Do you have a story to share? Are you an LGBTQIA+ survivor of violence, mental illness, or oppression? We want to share your story with the world. CALM aims to encourage EVERYONE to speak out against injustice, especially disparities in mental health care. You can and today! Comment below if you are interested in having us share your story, in your own words

Get the facts⟶ Blogs ⟶ Ending the Stigma Join Us & Support the Cause. Lets go! because we all deserve support Learn More

22/10/2021

"As we come to the end of October, we also come to the end of LGBT History Month. However, we must continue to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community even after the celebrations close. From the ground-breaking riots of Stonewall to the most recent accomplishment of Rachel Levine as the first four-star officer of the United States, we as a community have flourished. We intend to continue doing so..."
- The Impact by Carys Mullins from CALM

READ MORE:
https://www.thecalmblog.com/official-calm-blog/officialblogs-theimpact

Even though the Stonewall Riots ended, the movement did not cease. LGBTQ History Month stands as a testament to that.

22/10/2021

Happy Friday! In just 15 minutes, CALM is releasing its weekly Blog! The topic for this week revolves around the impact of historical LGBTQIA+ events, achievements, and strides in the name of the end of . From Stonewall to the most recent accomplishments of Rachel Levine, the first transgender four-star officer in the US, we have come a long way...and we still have a long way to go...

21/10/2021

Get the facts, End the Stigma, and Join Us to Support the Cause. Let's go...because we all deserve support

Get the facts⟶ Blogs ⟶ Ending the Stigma Join Us & Support the Cause. Lets go! because we all deserve support Learn More

21/10/2021

We often think of related hate through the actions of others. However, we also experience hate from within. Much like mental illnesses, internalized homophobia (IH) and self-rejection can cause both short-term and long-term consequences.
Here’s how:
https://www.thecalmblog.com/official-calm-blog/officialblogs-internalized-homophobia

IH can be toxic to your inner and outer life. LGBTQAI+ individuals can suffer from self-rejection just as much as rejection from society. Learn More.

21/10/2021