The TEA Retreat: Creating a Safe Space
By Andrew Rascon (he/him), Safe Space Program Manager
I have led the Southwest Center’s Mpowerment project for young queer people of color, The TEA Phoenix, since its inception three years ago. Through this program, we teach, empower, and take action to raise awareness about sexual health and HIV/AIDS.
The TEA recently embarked on a spiritual day retreat in Sedona, Arizona to bond together and reenergize in our mission to help end HIV. Fifteen of our core members spent the day in nature with scheduled activities and breakout sessions.
For our first session, journaling in nature, members reflected on seven questions about life, goals, and manifesting positive affirmations. We hiked to Peace Park in Sedona to send off those positive affirmations into the world.
We then headed into a state park for some swimming in Oak Creek Canyon. We set up camp and enjoyed the fresh, cold creek water that in some areas was six feet deep. We soaked up the positive energy from a nearby vortex while enjoying each other’s company.
Our last session of the day was a Glitter Blessing performed by a core member who is also a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, using biodegradable glitter burned in a fire-safe bowl. Each core member brought with them a personally meaningful object and they shared why the item is special with the group, releasing any negative emotions related to it. In the end, Sister Jareth chose one core member for the final glitter blessing. This was a powerful and healing moment for this individual. Each of us took home the glitter ashes to remember that very moment. The love and support for each other grew stronger through this blessing. We shared lots of hugs and tears on this trip.
Each core member was gifted a healing crystal pendant specifically chosen for each person to end out day with positive energy. We concluded our trip by sharing a meal as a group before returning home. Everyone left that day with healing energy and motivation to continue work in sexual health and HIV prevention.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Mental Illness Awareness Week
Throughout the month of September, the Southwest Center and other mental health advocates across the country united to promote suicide prevention awareness. We continue our work to support individuals’ mental health during Mental Illness Awareness Week, from October 3-9. We are honored to partner with Phoenix Pride to highlight the need to decrease stigma around mental health and increase access to mental healthcare.
Stella Kowalczyk from Phoenix Pride shares, “Mental health is essential in the LGBTQ+ community because we face challenges with family, society, religious groups, etc., telling us who we are, who we love, and/or how we identify is invalid or unethical. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, lesbian, gay, and bisexual members of our community are more than twice as likely to experience a mental health condition than heterosexual individuals. Trans members are nearly four times as likely to experience a mental health condition than cisgender individuals.”
Fiorella Marquez (she/her), Licensed Clinical Therapist, shares her own experiences to help you know that you are not alone:
Typically during Suicide Prevention Month, it is the norm to bring up statistics about those who have completed suicide. Today’s post is different. I’ll be speaking to you person to person. For the following moments, I want you not only to see me as a mental health therapist, but also see me as a human being, with a heartbeat, struggles, and a story, just like you.
When I was 19 years old, I decided I had enough with depression and wanted to take my own life. See, the act didn’t just happen out of nowhere - months of darkness, depression, and hopelessness led me there. Depression, PTSD, any mental health issues can make you feel like no one cares and like there is absolutely no hope. Trust me, I know the heavy feelings of emptiness. I know how frustrating it is and how unfair it feels to have to deal with it all. I know suicide seems like it’s the only solution. It’s not.
Here’s the thing, as someone who has been there: I know more than anyone that part of us still wants to live, but we have absolutely no energy to live. I know it feels like whenever someone tells you to not give up, all you want to do is close your eyes and ignore it. I know healing seems so far away, and it feels like there’s absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel. I know that.
But also know this world would not be the same without you in it. There are 7.8 billion people in this world - that number includes you. If you aren’t here, the number goes down and we wouldn’t be the same. You’re more than just a number. You’re a human, with a life, and people that care about you. I guarantee you, you have at least one person in your corner, a pet, a friend, a co-worker… and now you have me. I’m in your corner, believing in you, cheering for you, crying with you, hoping with you.
If my plan to die by suicide would have worked, I would not be here today writing to you. I would not be able to dedicate my life to help others. At 19, I couldn’t see past another day, and I promise you, I would have missed out on so much. I know looking into your future could be devastating right now but one day, it will feel different.
Feeling how you’re feeling does NOT make you weak, it makes you strong, a survivor, courageous. Just waking up today and deciding to continue living makes me so proud of you. It’s okay not to be okay, but it’s not okay to stay there.
I can’t promise you things will be better in ten seconds but I can promise you that with help, therapy, and extra self-love, it gets better. Be patient with yourself. Your healing takes time. You’ve made it through this post, you can make it another five minutes, and another five minutes after that. I believe you can do it.
If you’re thinking of killing yourself, please call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “HELP” to 741-741.
P.S. It’s not the help you “need”, it’s the help you DESERVE.
The Southwest Center has counselors to provide confidential and affirming care to all. We accept more major insurances, AHCCCS, and have a sliding scale for those that are uninsured. To make an appointment or learn more, contact us at 602.307.5330.
Coalition for Black Excellence Presents: Black Market
The Southwest Center’s Coalition for Black Excellence will host a Black Market on October 30 where you can meet and shop from Black-owned business vendors and find other resources for nutrition, hair care, and health in the community. We will also have local drag entertainment and a costume contest for those who want to come dressed up for the holiday! Come join us for food and fun!
Support Us While You Shop!
Did you know that you can support the Southwest Center’s mission and services while you shop?.
If you shop at Amazon, the AmazonSmile program will contribute 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the Southwest Center.
ONLINE: Go to smile.amazon.com, select Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS and start shopping! Note: You’ll need to shop at smile.amazon.com in order for us to receive donations.
APP: After you sign up for AmazonSmile online, you can activate it on your mobile app. Just open your app, open Settings in the main menu and select AmazonSmile. Follow the instructions to turn on AmazonSmile in the app.
If you have a Shoppers Card for Fry’s Food Stores, a portion of your purchases can be donated to the Southwest Center.
Sign in to your digital account.
Go here to search for your organization
Enter the name or NPO number of the organization that you wish to support.
Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save.”
These are just a couple of easy ways you can support the important work we do.