Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Mental Health Advocacy

October is each Coming Out and Anti-Bullying Month, offering a chance to acknowledge the struggles of those that have confronted bullying whereas embracing their genuine selves. This weblog, written by MQ ambassador Amazin LeThi, explores the psychological well being challenges skilled by these from the LGBTQ neighborhood and those that have confronted bullying.

October is each Coming Out Month and Anti-Bullying Month, providing an opportunity to mirror on the challenges confronted by those that have endured bullying whereas embracing their true selves. Among these tales is my very own. As a Vietnamese-born LGBTQ advocate, athlete, and former aggressive bodybuilder, my journey has been outlined by resilience and a deep dedication to psychological well being advocacy.

From an early age, I skilled intense bullying and racism attributable to my ethnicity and sexual orientation.

Growing up in a world the place I didn’t see anybody like me, I typically felt remoted and alone. Coming out as queer was one other important problem—particularly inside Asian communities, the place discussing sexual orientation stays taboo. Confronting cultural norms, worry, and internalized disgrace and failure was troublesome, and the emotional toll of those battles deeply affected my psychological well being.

My struggles reached a important level once I turned homeless as a younger grownup, compounding the psychological well being challenges I had already confronted.

Despite these hardships, I discovered energy in my Asian and queer id and have since devoted my life to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and psychological well being consciousness.

I do know firsthand the lasting results of bullying and discrimination, and I now converse overtly in regards to the significance of psychological well being assist for LGBTQ youth who are sometimes left feeling rejected and alone.

Today, as a worldwide LGBTQ advocate, I work to encourage others to face tall of their reality and combat in opposition to bullying in all its kinds. My story serves as a reminder that whereas these struggles can depart lasting scars, with the proper psychological well being assist, therapeutic and empowerment are potential. I hope to be a beacon of hope for these dealing with related battles, exhibiting that embracing who you might be may be step one to overcoming even the darkest challenges.

Find out extra about Amazin LeThi on her web site.