June is Pride Month. For those who are unsure what that means, it is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.  June was designated as Pride Month because it commemorates the Stonewall Riots, which was one of the first major demonstrations of gay rights in the U.S. in 1969. This year Pride Month celebrates the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and includes parades, activism, education and awareness and more focused on sexual orientation and gender equality.    

June 19, 1865 signifies the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved people in the U.S., which was 2 years AFTER the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. It took 2 years for the news that the Civil War was over and slavery was abolished to reach the outer most confederate state, Texas.  This date- June 19, 1865- became Juneteenth. Today, Juneteenth is an official holiday in 46 states that commemorates African American freedom and often features education, advocacy and celebration of achievements.  

Why are Pride and Juneteenth relevant to mental health? These observances acknowledge moments in history when systems of oppression were challenged to change. They highlight both significant trauma in our country's fabric and the resilience that grew out of it. Trauma contributes to mental health challenges, including mental illness and suicidal ideation. The ability of a person and community to overcome adversity contributes to mental health recovery, healing and wellness.  Overcoming adversity is not new, but the scientific exploration of "post-traumatic growth (PTG)" is fairly recent.

According to UNC Charlotte's Posttraumatic Growth Research Group, PTG is "positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or traumatic event."  Slavery and the criminalization and de-legitimization of non-binary genders and sexual orientations were/are not ONE major life crisis or traumatic event. These systems created horrific environments in which people had to survive with effects still impacting us today.  

Celebrating Pride Month, observing Juneteenth, testifying before Congress for reparations, advocating for same-sex marriage equality and trans military personnel...these are moments where PTG are visible. Individuals and communities that participate, as well as those of us who watch with admiration, may experience the release of "Happy Chemicals" in our brains.  These chemicals are dopamine, serotonin, endorphin and oxytocin; and they contribute to our mental wellness.  

PTG includes more than what I've just described.  UNCC describes 5 general areas that PTG occurs:

 1. New possibilities are opened as a result of adversity.

2. Relationships may grow closer, leading to an increased sense of belonging.

3. An increased awareness in one's inner strength.

4. People may develop greater appreciation for life. 

5. Some experience a deepening connection to spirituality, including a significant change in one's belief system.

As a national and global community, we have A LOT more work to do in terms of individual and community healing from slavery, racism, implicit bias, microaggression, homophobia, heterosexism, transphobia and other forms of oppression. We have A LOT more dismantling of systems that perpetuate oppression and the de-humanizing of humans.  

For now, I hope this post brings a pause to celebrate important moments in our hxstory that may have, if only for a brief moment, fired our happy chemicals and inspired post-traumatic growth.  

Additional Resources:

What is LGBT Pride Month? Watch this 51 second video by ABC news.

This is Why Juneteenth is Important for America.  Watch this 3:33 video by The Root.