MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Many people deal with depression that can be amplified at this time of year because of the holidays. Some people find this is their least favorite time of the year because of loneliness, anxiety, grief, medical issues, big family or social events, and other kinds of stress.

When we have partners, siblings, or other family and friends to lean on, it can be a little bit easier to handle things like these or the pressures of the season. But what about those who have been disowned by their families and churches and have nowhere to turn nor anyone to turn to?

I hope that each of our members can always feel that they have someone to turn to here in Kinship, and that if we no longer need that support for ourselves we can offer it to someone else.

If you need someone to talk with, you’ll find others in the community on our private Facebook pages. You can also contact your coordinator or email Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein. to be referred to one of our chaplains. Kinship is here for you.

There are also times when we may need professional assistance, including counseling or medication, to get ourselves more balanced and on a healthier footing. I don’t think that seeking professional help as well as the social support Kinship offers is ever something to be ashamed of: everyone needs a hand sometimes!

As we all navigate the end of 2019 together, let’s remember there are lots of resources that can help us with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, stress, self-harming thoughts, and any other concerns we might have. Here are a few resource lists that may help you outside of Kinship.

(Many of these resources are US-based. There may be others in your country: Talk to your local coordinator to find out.)

• LGBTQ Crisis Hotlines and Services (oSTEM): https://ostem.org/page/crisis-hotlines
• National Alliance on Mental Health: https://www.nami.org/find-support/lgbtq
• National LGBT Health and Education Center: Suicide Risk and Prevention for LGBTQ People: https://www.lgbthealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Suicide-Risk-and-Prevention-for-LGBTQ-Patients-Brief.pdf
• Vanguard STEM: Choosing a Therapist as an LGBTQ Person of Color: https://conversations.vanguardstem.com/revealtoheal-choosing-a-therapist-as-an-lgbtq-person-of-color-58a444527489

Each one of us is valuable and important.

Lean on your Kinship family to provide the love and support you so deserve. And if you need more than Kinship can provide, please reach out to one of the resources above. Share resources that have worked well for you!

You are loved!

Yolanda Elliott
President
SDA Kinship International