Hey Guys!!
Check out our new thread- MEME MONDAYS!!
It doesn’t have to be a Monday to post a meme! We want to see them all! Funny memes, weird memes, home-made memes.. SHARE THEM ALL WITH US HERE!

We want to see your videos for Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month! Check out Eliza’s video of why she fights for recovery and post yours here! We will share them on our facebook and twitter (if you want!)

Would you consider the idea that social media is mentally unhealthy? Check out this article that explains 6 reasons why experts believe this to be true:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/#44cccd502e5a

After reading this article, what are your opinions on the matter?

Although it can be used for good, social media has had it’s run with sadness and negativity. Lately, I’ve heard a lot about people using social media and the option to go live, to broadcast their suicides. It is so unfortunate to hear this and I wish that they had just a bit more hope or an opportunity to hear that suicide is never the solution; help is always available. I’m not sure what made them go to social media to show everyone their last moments but I do hope and pray that those effected find peace and are speaking to professionals about what they witnessed. Suicide is never the answer.

From what I’ve seen and learned, individuals who attempt suicide show signs of wanting to harm themselves, especially on social media. I think that we, as a community, need to look out for one another more and pay attention to the things people say both in person and online. Take everything seriously! I really encourage all of you to think about specific steps that can be taken when and if you ever do encounter warning signs online. Some examples include:
· Reach out to their friend directly and ACT

· Use the suicide prevention features on common social media sites (like FB and Instagram) to reach out

· Seek help from their own parents or contact the friend’s parents

· Seek help from adults at school

· Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

No matter the cause or the situation, there is someone who cares. <3

In December 2014, I remember coming across a story on Facebook about a 17 year old transgender girl from Ohio, Leelah Alcorn, who committed suicide.

Before she died she posted a suicide note on her Instagram blog, revealing her struggles and requesting for change within society.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YbNFXsW-uo

She was one in the line of many more who suffered similar fates before her. She was raised in a conservative Christian environment and came out to her parents at 14 years old but they refused to accept her female gender identity. When she made a request to them to have her undergo female conversion therapy, they send her into a Christian-based conversion therapy instead.

Leelah lived with the fears that things will never get better… that she will never be fully accepted, especially by her parents – who should have been there to love and care for her.

But in spite of Leelah’s plea for a changed world including a ban on conversion therapy, nothing much has really changed since her death.

There are still people who we come across now and then, who think that one can ‘become straight’ or who deny the fact that there are actually people who identify with another gender.

In Christian therapy Leelah met some of these people who constantly reminded her that she was not the girl she thought she was and sadly, her parents approved this message.

I may never understand much of the struggle Leelah endure while going through conversion therapy but I do know the emotional and psychological trauma you experience when someone tells you that you have to be something that you are not and what you are is disgusting.

Back in 2014 there was an Ex-gay ministry traveling the world, especially to third world countries, in places such as Africa and the Caribbean, convincing the local populace and governments to reject the LGBT movement, calling it the ‘Gay Agenda’.

When I was in Jamaica, one of the board members, Dennis Jernigan, came on national television to share his story of ‘becoming straight’ and falling in love with a woman with whom he produced nine children.

At that time it didn’t occur to me that he was spreading the wrong message. I had the mentality that sexuality was alterable and his story was living proof. In fact, I was still actively involved in my local church and I worked tirelessly to find the secret formula to ‘becoming straight’.
I went to his site and messaged him my story, expressing my desire to become straight… how silly? I left my contact information hoping he would respond. I checked back for days into weeks but I never heard back from him. It was extremely frustrating but today I thank God he didn’t.

A few months later Exodus International released a new policy statement on the criminalization of homosexuality and Dennis Jernigan offered an apology for the work he carried out in Jamaica, which in his statement violated the principles of Exodus. The organization was ultimately dissolved in 2013.

It’s really heartbreaking to witness different organizations and the people who support them, focused on destroying thousands of lives in the name of ignorance.
Leelah would probably still be here today had it not been for the hateful dogma that some religious groups teaches.

Much more work needs to be done but fingers crossed, we will get there. “It Gets Better”.

I’ve been getting jealous of other people’s happiness lately. When I go on twitter, or instagram, or facebook, I see everyone putting out pictures of them having a great time. Meanwhile, I’m sitting at home on my computer, by myself, and feeling so desperately lonely. I know I shouldn’t compare myself to others, and I know I shouldn’t take these images as they are – since I know that people pump themselves up on social media to seem better than they really are – but I can’t help it sometimes.
Has anyone else done this?