Breathe
By Edurne Balmori
An orange flag has replaced the national flag that is hoisted every morning in the center of the capital's Zócalo, the political heart of the country's capital. On the substitute flag the phrase "LGBT Pride does not exist without a free and safe life" can be read.
In my role as leader of The Trevor Project Mexico, I am confronted daily with the harsh reality of our community. This campaign seeks to combat ignorance about the issues that LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and more) people face. This is not just a banner, it is an urgent call to action.
By replicating and transforming the phrases so often used by people who reject, discriminate and stigmatize LGBTQ+ youth and turning them around to the importance of embracing gender diversity, we seek to impact the national conversation as it is urgent (and I am not exaggerating when I use the word urgent) to address many of the challenges we face in the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the area of youth mental health.
The data are clear: there is a mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ youth, the same youth who every year in June see the Pride flag on the streets, in government buildings and in commercials of various companies; those youth who grew up watching series like The Heartstopper projected on their screens; on social networks they shared Wendy Guevara's funny phrases or have witnessed the "coming out of the closet" of a Billie Eillish.
Despite this cultural context that seems to affirm people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, many of our youth also live in homes that threaten to take them to conversion "therapies", attend schools where they are discriminated against, or live in hostile communities. This constant violence has a direct impact on the mental health of this population sector, which according to the LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Survey, 53% of them have seriously considered suicide and 33% have attempted it, with family rejection being the main motivator for 77% of these youth.
Our report shows that 75% of LGBTQ+ youth have engaged in self-harm and 80% have done so on more than one occasion.
Violence manifests itself in many forms: 21 percent have been threatened with conversion "therapies," 28 percent have suffered threats or physical violence, and 55 percent have felt discriminated against in the past year because of their sexual orientation. Each of these figures is a wake-up call.
Having supportive and accepting family, friends and community members for LGBTQ+ youth is key to fostering good mental health, but it is also necessary for everyone to have access to mental health care services and for this to be a priority for the state.
It is important to keep in mind that for pride to exist, we must strive to foster the conditions that allow for a free and safe life.
Since its launch, The Trevor Project Mexico has provided more than 80 thousand crisis services. Of the chats where care was provided for suicidal ideation, 42% were at medium risk, 26% were at imminent risk and 22% were at high risk.
As a woman who has seen and lived through the hardships of our community, I am committed to continue fighting for a Mexico where pride is not just a symbol, but a palpable reality. We need a #MexicoAliade, a country that is the safe space that LGBTQ+ youth deserve.
*Executive Director of The Trevor Project México
Edurne Balmori Palacios (she) is the first executive director of The Trevor Project's operations in Mexico, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health for LGBTQ+ youth. She began her career in a corporate
Mexican company dedicated to tabletop sweeteners and held several positions before rising to General Manager. Under Edurne's leadership, the company was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Equidad MX as one of the best in the country.
places to work for the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2021, she was honored as one of Expansión magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Business and featured on its list of 41+1 LGBTQ+ Executives for two consecutive years. The global women's network ALL Ladies League (ALL) awarded Edurne as one of the Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All in Diversity and Inclusion, and Great Culture to Innovate named her as one of Mexico's Most Innovative CEOs.
About The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more) youth. The Trevor Project in Mexico has trained staff who serve youth as they deal with issues such as coming out, gender identity, depression and suicidal ideation.
The TrevorText and TrevorChat digital crisis management services in Mexico are free, secure and confidential, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via WhatsApp message at 55 9225 3337 by sending the word "Get Started" or through the Trevor site chat.
Follow us at:
- Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok: @trevorprojectmx
- Linkedin: @TheTrevorProject
- Youtube: @TheTrevorProjectLatinoamerica
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
Comments ()