Read the article that appeared in the July 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine:
Every June, members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community celebrate Pride Month. Pride often increases community awareness about the mental health challenges that many LGBTQ+ folks experience.
But after Pride Month, how can we work together to create informed and affirming environments where LGBTQ+ people can thrive? How can we foster a community that embraces self-care and mental wellness for ALL people?
This is another story in the series in which I delve into what authentic self-care is by having conversations with local mental health professionals listed in Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s HELPLINE resource.
For this month’s article, I spoke with Carmen Greiner, Director of Lighthouse Counseling. Carmen and her team of counselors at Lighthouse have been supporters of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg for years. You can learn more about their counseling practice at lighthousefredericksburg.com.
Carmen defines self-care as “paying attention to one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.” Rather than what commercialist ideas of self-care lead us to believe, she says that real self-care involves a “component of meaning-making” that can come in many different forms, such as religion or spending time in nature.
For all of us, “self-care is about combating isolation,” according to Carmen. The recent years of the COVID pandemic have showed us just how damaging isolation can be to our mental health. In order to thrive, humans need social connection and a sense of belonging.
For those who are LGBTQ+, finding social connection and belonging can be extra challenging due to the restrictions of our society and the reality that for many of these folks, it is not safe to come out. To help people combat isolation, Carmen often starts by asking her clients: “What are some situations where you can be authentically you?” and encouraging them to be in those spaces more.
The Fredericksburg region is fortunate to have so many mental health providers, businesses, and other organizations who are LGBTQ+ affirming. Lighthouse Counseling is one of many local organizations who have created a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ folks. In April 2022, they launched a support group for adolescents who identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella.
For anyone seeking mental health services, it is important to find a provider who is a good fit based on what you want to get out of therapy. If having a therapist who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ clients is important to you, Carmen recommends asking them directly about their experience in the initial consultation. Finding spaces where you can have a voice and be your authentic self is a critical piece of self-care.
MHAfred maintains an extensive list of local mental health providers that we call the HELPLINE. We keep track of the services offered in the area, insurances accepted, and new client availability. If you are looking for a local mental health provider or want to learn more about MHAfred’s programs, call Mental Health America of Fredericksburg at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org.
Anne-Tillery Melson is the Suicide Prevention Education Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.