LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As Pride Month comes to a close, Louisville organizations are reminding LGBTQ+ youth that resources and safe spaces for them are available all year round.
Louisville's Mandala House Mental Health partnered with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid of Kentucky and All Peoples Justice Center Sunday to host the 'Be You Block Party,' an event celebrating the community.
"We've always been committed to gender-affirming care and so it's a wonderful thing to help however we can," Licensed Clinical Social Worker Colgan Tyler said. "As therapists, what we do, is we help people…find freedom, find love, and so we try to support them doing that however we can. To provide people a place where they can come, just like any human being, and talk about what they're dealing with in life, their struggles, their dreams, and hope to help them have a full life."
With several states passing bills targeting LGTBQ people, young people have seen a decline in their mental health.
According to the 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, nearly 2 in 3 said that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQ people at school made their mental health worse.
"People need to see people like themselves. I know I represent that for a lot of folks, especially LGBTQ young people," Kentucky State Representative Keturah Herron said. "I want to be in places so they can see somebody that looks like them, talk to them, and know that they belong here in our space, and they belong here in this community."
Rep. Herron joined the festivities at Mandala House continue to be voice for her community.
"Although we have gone very far, we're still fighting daily," Rep. Herron said. "I am out here to let people know, and especially our young people, to know that they belong and their life matters and that we want them here in our community."
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is always available. You can call The Crisis Hotline at 988 where someone is available 24/7.
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