Trans and Queer Youth Wellness Tools for Mental

Trans and Queer Youth Wellness Tools for Mental Health Month Created by the Youth Organizing Team

Introductions Tell us who you are (aloud or in the chat)! ➔ Name ➔ Pronouns ➔ Grade or school ➔ Share: How is your mind, body, & spirit today? Example: -Mind is busy with work -Body is sore from the weekend -Spirit is growing but tired

Agenda ■ Welcome, Housekeeping, Review Community Agreements ■ Wellness Tip: Lyric Affirmation ■ Centering Activity: Poetry ■ Breaking Mental Health Stigma ■ Queer and Trans Youth Wellness ■ Zine-Making ■ Closing and Announcements

Today’s Goals ● Introductory breakdown of mental health stigma ● Build understanding of wellness as a reflection of your mind, body, and spirit ● Learn tools to highlight queer and trans youth wellness

Sample Community Agreements Be as present as you can. 1) Mute audio 2) Try on video 3) Use the chat box “Right to Pass” “Vegas Rule” What’s said here stays here; what’s learned here leaves here. Community Garden Use content warnings. →Chat it! Intent vs. Impact Understand informed consent.

Wellness Tip: Lyric Affirmations What are song lyrics that make you feel affirmed or seen? Benefits of Music ● Can calm your mind ● Can drastically change your mood ● Can inspire you ● Can help you sleep OR energize you

Centering Activity: Poetry Reading Valid I tell myself today will be different I don’t have to love myself every day I won’t blame myself I don’t have to be anything you want I’ll love the body I’m in I am I’m okay Flawed But this picture-perfect idea that I am Healing isn’t messy Different And feeling is binary I am You’re either happy or sad Valid It’s bullshit These feelings Because it’s a struggle Are valid And working on myself I tell myself today will be different Is a lifelong process It is. I don’t have to be what you think Valid. By: Minowa Mendez

Mental Health Awareness Month Every May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to break down stigma, share resources, and mobilize for policies to support diverse mental health needs. https: //www. nami. org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental. Health-Month

Breaking Mental Health Stigma ● Mental Health: Emotional and psychological well-being ● “Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of a particular characteristic or attribute. ” (Better Health Channel) ● Students talk mental health during Covid-19 ● Restorative healing for people of color

Breaking Mental Health Stigma

Group Discussion: How do you combat the stigma around mental health?

Trans & Queer Youth Wellness What is “wellness”? ● An active process of making good choices towards achieving a healthy life ● Realizing your full potential ● Having tools to cope with the stresses of life ● Keeping a balance of mind, body, and spirit as a way to combat mental health stigma

Wellness Activity: Zine. Making Zine = A mini booklet to share your story and a creative way to make a list of all the things that help keep your mind, body, and spirit in check! Making a zine can help slow you down and process your feelings, emotions, and physical sensations in an interactive way. Activity Note: We will be using a tutorial by a queer NY artist named EM! They make prints and digital art. Follow their work on Instagram @Emulsify. Art!

Getting Started Items you will need: ▪ Paper (8. 5 x 11), notebook paper, or sticky notes ▪ Pens, markers, colored pencils ▪ Scissors (optional) Instructions: 1. Fold the paper (see slides 15 -18 for steps) 2. Draw/write about your mind, body, and spirit (see slides 1922 for prompts)

Zine 101: Steps 1 -2 1. Start with a piece of paper, hold it horizontally, and fold it like a hotdog or taco. 2. Fold the paper in half.

Zine 101: Steps 3 -4 3. Fold the paper in half again. 4. Open it all up. You should now have a total of 8 small boxes. Next, fold the sheet in half by pulling the right side to the left side.

Zine 101: Step 5 5. Find the closed edge of your paper. THEN, with your hands or scissors, cut across the length of 1 box. Open and fold like a taco again!

Zine 101: Step 6 6. Push the closed sides together to form a 4 -point cross. Number your pages!

Mind Wellness Instructions: On page 2 -3 you will write, draw, place stickers, etc. to express your personal commitment to mind wellness. Things that make up/ influence parts of your mind include emotional feelings, emotional boundaries, and focus.

Body Wellness Instructions On pages 4 -5, write, draw, add stickers, etc. to express your personal commitment to keeping body wellness. What influences body wellness? All physical body needs, including hydration, safety, nourishment, and movement!

Spirit Wellness Instructions On pages 6 -7 Write, draw, add stickers, etc. to express your personal commitment to keeping mind wellness. What makes up the spirit/heart? Your soul, your inner voice, intuition, light force, aura, etc. Spiritual Wellness Examples: Prayer, chanting/singing, meditative reflection, solo time, talking to a mentor or someone older, practicing a passion/hobby

Personal Commitment Final Step: On page 8, come up with 1 commitment you can make for your mind, body, or spirit. Ex. I am committed to drinking a cup of water every morning and before bed.

Closing & Announcements ▪ Next meeting date and time ▪ For LGBTQ+ stories, read Youth Voices ▪ Click here to sign up for weekly GSA Network updates.

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