Mental Illness Awareness Week 2024 (#MIAW24) is upon us, and it’s given me pause
for thought about my own mental health journey. Growing up queer in a small Cape
Breton town wasn’t always easy. I often felt like I didn’t fit in with those around me, but I
couldn’t quite put my finger on why. The community was small, and everyone always
knew each other’s business. This made it hard to express my true self or to explore
what being queer meant.
Navigating Feelings
I remember trying to navigate these feelings on my own, but it was tough without access
to the right resources or guidance. While I did and still do have a wonderfully supportive
family, I struggled with anxiety and doubt, always wondering if I would ever be truly
accepted by my family and friends. Looking back, I can’t help but think about how much
programs like those offered by Strongest Families Institute (SFI) could have made a
difference in my life.
SFI Help LGBTQ Youth
SFI provides mental health services that help children and youth who are facing
challenges, just like I did. Their programs teach coping skills, build confidence, and offer
supports that are a huge help to kids navigating the unique challenges of growing up
different. How reassuring it would have been to know there was someone to talk to,
someone who could provide guidance without judgment, and someone who understood
that feeling different was okay.
The programs offered by SFI not only teach coping skills but also provide a sense of
belonging and understanding, which is invaluable for queer youth who often feel
isolated in small communities.
Help is Available
Today as a part of the team at SFI, I look at the work that we do with immense gratitude
and admiration. I can only hope that other kids in Cape Breton—and all over
Canada—who feel the way I once did, have the chance to access these services, to feel
seen, and to learn that there’s a community out there that will support them no matter
what. If I had these programs growing up, it would have made all the difference.
And I’m so grateful that today’s generation of children have access to this kind of support when
they need it the most.