Sharing their struggles and triumphs with mental health, members of the LGBTQIA+ community spread awareness and hope.
On May 18 pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson (J&J) started a new social media hashtag and trend, #DepressionLooksLikeMe, to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ members to share their stories, start conversations, and ask for help.
Started both by and for the LGBTQ+ community, the campaign provides directories where people can find LGBTQ+ friendly health care professionals, trained counselors, support hotlines, and general treatment information. The social media trend supports J&J’s Our Race to Health Equity initiative which seeks to eradicate social and racial injustices within public health.
Trans male actor and activist and former Mission cover star Chella Man sought help when he realized he was not finding joy in his daily life. “Everything I did felt like an action to survive rather than thrive,” Man told Mission. He has since teamed up with J&J as a spokesperson for the campaign, to let people know that they are not alone on this journey. “There is more within life than just the fight to survive,” he adds.
Man shared his experience with depression on Instagram and garnered a following of people who felt inspired by his courage. “Sharing my story has not only brought me closer to myself, but helped me find all of the incredible artists (in my Pure Joy campaign) involved. I have found community and a home within myself,” he told us. He hopes to see greater access, inclusion, accountability, and overall joy in the LGBTQ+ community.
Mental health issues affect the members of the LGBTQ+ community at much higher rates than straight cisgender people. They are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared to heterosexual individuals. Evidence shows that family acceptance helps to prevent depression, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior, while promoting strong self-esteem and overall health.
Depression is different for everyone. J&J wants to give everyone a voice and represent all individuals. They encourage people to share their stories with the hashtag #DepressionLooksLikeMe, or on their website using this link in order to spread greater awareness for the members of the LGBTQ+ community struggling with mental health problems and bring them the resources to find help and know that they are not alone.
In an effort to combat the mental health crisis among all individuals, regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation, a new national three-digit-number is set to launch on July 16. 988 will serve as a mental health and suicide prevention hotline.
