June marks the month-long celebration of Pride and it is great to see the country awash with the colourful rainbow, a meaningful representation of inclusion and progression.
This year’s theme for Pride is Community and after a difficult and isolating year, this focus takes on a whole new precedence as so many of us discovered a greater appreciation for our community and sense of togetherness in both our personal and professional lives.
In celebration of Pride Month, the Institute’s Young Professionals, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and CA Support service hosted the annual LGBTQ+ event yesterday. Our ‘Celebrating Inclusion’ event brought together a panel of successful LGBTQ+ business leaders who shared their own personal experiences of being LGBTQ+ in the workplace and how organisations are adapting to social changes. It was an extremely thought-provoking and insightful event.
However, while overall societal shifts, diversity and inclusion initiatives have made great strides in helping to support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community, from our work in CA Support, we know that difficulties, hardship and discrimination still remain. A recent survey released by BeLonG To Youth Services during Pride Month shows the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people has acutely deteriorated during Covid-19. The research found that 97% of LGBTQ+ youth are struggling with anxiety, stress, or depression. In 2019, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released figures which showed those who identify as LGBTQ+ reported the highest rates of discrimination in Irish society and 17.5% of the community have experienced workplace discrimination. Coping with such concerns can have a detrimental impact on our wellbeing, self-esteem and the general navigation of our daily lives.
Feeling empowered to express who you are freely in the workplace and beyond is crucial to your mental health. If you are struggling with any worries or challenges around these important personal issues, Thrive is here to help all year around. We offer a wide range of services including free counselling services and career coaching to support our community who are in need.
Happy Pride!
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