HelpGuide June Newsletter

[View in browser]( Dear Friend of HelpGuide, June is Pride Month, a time to promote inclusivity and recognize the impact made by the LGBTQ+ community in society. There are many different events, festivals, parades, and other activities taking place all over the world this month to help counter the damaging impact of discrimination. You can find a directory of your nearest Pride events and celebrations [here](.  There are also other simple ways you can promote LGBTQ+ equality at work, school, or in your daily life. Here are just three:  1. Educate yourself. Take some time to read articles, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts about LGBTQ+ issues. The more you understand about discrimination and prejudice, the better you’ll be able to promote acceptance and awareness. 2. Use inclusive language. Our words can often create misunderstandings. Simple gestures such as avoiding making assumptions about a person’s identity or sexual orientation can encourage LGBTQ+ colleagues, neighbors, or acquaintances to feel more at ease. Rather than assume someone’s orientation and using a gendered term such as “wife” or “husband” for example, simply ask about their “spouse” or “partner”. 3. Don’t tolerate bullying. Whether it’s at school, work, or online, take a [stand against bullying](—of someone because of their gender, orientation, or any other reason. We’re all different, and we all deserve to be treated with respect. Always take a moment to think before saying or doing something that may hurt someone else. And if you do make a mistake, apologize.  However you choose to mark this Pride month, we hope you enjoy the rest of June.   Yours in health,  Melinda Smith Executive Director, HelpGuide ­ Some of our latest content I Feel Anxious: Tips for Dealing with Anxiety Feeling tense, restless, or fearful? Anxiety can make you feel trapped in your own head, but these tools can help you ease tension, stay present, and manage anxiety. ­ [Read more]( ­ AA and Other Peer Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction If you have a drinking problem, recovery support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can be extremely helpful. Discover how these groups provide hope, strength, and encouragement on the road to sobriety. ­ [Read more]( ­ ADHD in Women: Symptoms, Treatment, and Support Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can look different in women and adolescent girls, making it harder to diagnose. But there are ways to cope with symptoms and overcome the unique challenges. ­ [Read more]( ­ Your mental health matters. Take care of yourself in therapy No more waiting days, weeks or even months to find a therapist. Sign up with BetterHelp and you can get matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. As a HelpGuide reader, sign up in June through the link below and your first month is 20% off. ­ [GET 20% OFF]( ­ As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided. Mental health news from around the web Time out: We all need a three-day weekend (University of South Australia) As a four-day work week is trialed in countries across the globe, health researchers at the University of South point to new empirical research that shows extra time off is good for our health. Assessing changes in daily movements before, during and after vacations, researchers found that people displayed more active, healthy behaviors when they were on vacation, even when they only had a three-day break. Across the 13-month study period, it showed that when taking breaks people engaged in more physical activity, were less sedentary, and slept longer each day. [READ MORE →]( Marijuana linked to mental health risks in young adults, growing evidence shows (NBC News) New research, involving millions of people worldwide over decades, adds to worries that heavy use of high-potency cannabis could exacerbate the mental health crisis in the U.S. Dr. Ryan Sultan, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia Irving Medical Center, is one of many experts raising serious concerns about the increasing marijuana use by adolescents and young adults. And the evidence is growing of marijuana’s association with psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, especially in young men. [READ MORE →]( Obesity increases the risk of mental health issues throughout life (Complexity Science Hub and the Medical University of Vienna) Being obese significantly increases the chances of you also developing mental health disorders, a recent study shows. While this applies to all age groups, women are at a higher risk than men for most diseases. The study found evidence that an obesity diagnosis significantly enhances the likelihood of a wide range of mental disorders – including depression, nicotine addiction, psychosis, anxiety, eating and personality disorders. [READ MORE →]( Mental imagery a helpful way to distract teens from negative thought patterns (Oregon State University) For adolescents who may get stuck in negative thought spirals, refocusing on mental imagery is a more effective distraction than verbal thoughts, a recent study found. A short-term distraction can break up the thought spiral, which makes room for that person to then seek help from a therapist, friend or parent. [READ MORE →](  Up to one in 20 new diabetes cases could be linked to Covid, study suggests (The Guardian) Up to one in 20 new diabetes cases could be related to Covid infection, data suggests. The research adds to mounting evidence the pandemic may be contributing to a rapidly escalating diabetes crisis, with individuals who have experienced more severe Covid at greatest risk. Although previous research has hinted that Sars-CoV-2 infection may increase the risk of developing diabetes – possibly by damaging insulin-producing cells in the pancreas – these studies were either relatively small or limited to specific groups of individuals. [READ MORE →]( ­ LGBTQ+ helplines for support  In the U.S.: [LGBT National Hotline](: 888-843-4564, 800-246-7743 (Youth Talkline), or 888-234-7243 (Senior Hotline) UK: [LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline](: 020 7704 2040 Australia: [QLife LGBTQ+ support helpline](: 1800 184 527 Canada: [PFLAG LGBTQ+ peer-to-peer support](: 1-888-530-6777 In other countries: Visit HelpGuide's [Directory of International Mental Health Helplines]( Follow Us: ­ ­ ­ ­ JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Mental health and wellness tips, our latest articles, resources and more. ­ [Subscribe]( ­ ­ HelpGuide.org International, 515 S. Flower St. Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90071 This email was sent to {EMAIL} You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter. If you would no longer like to receive these, please update your email preferences by visiting the link below. [Unsubscribe](  [Privacy Policy](     |      [Terms of Use](