{"id":3948,"date":"2022-08-28T21:07:27","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T01:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itgetsbettercanada.org\/?p=3948"},"modified":"2024-07-26T09:01:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T13:01:41","slug":"our-back-to-school-self-care-guide-for-queer-questioning-students-and-their-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itgetsbettercanada.org\/fr\/2022\/08\/28\/our-back-to-school-self-care-guide-for-queer-questioning-students-and-their-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Back-to-School Self-Care Guide for Queer & Questioning Students and Their Allies"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Our Back-to-School Self-Care Guide
for Queer & Questioning Students
and Their Allies<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Back-to-school season is just around the corner. But before you run out for some new ballpoint pens\u2014let\u2019s hit pause for a moment.\u00a0<\/h5>

Together, with a host of experts and community collaborators, we\u2019re helping queer and questioning youth and their allies across Canada prepare for the new academic year\u2014by prioritizing and supporting self-care.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our vision for schools across Canada<\/b><\/h5>

At <\/span>It Gets Better Canada, <\/span><\/i>we envision a future where every school from coast to coast is a place where 2SLGBTQ+ youth feel empowered to be themselves\u2014and are free to learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As a student, having a core sense of safety and belonging helps free up your mental space so you can make better use of the energy you may have previously spent just trying to get through the day.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tHere\u2019s our list of mindful tips for queer and questioning students, as well as allied parents and school staff, <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tto help guide this school year\u2014 and inspire a way forward for years to come.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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I am a…<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudent<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAllied Adult<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Check in with yourself\u2014and harness your power<\/b><\/h5>

The words <\/span>\u201cback to school\u201d<\/span><\/i> can bring up positive or negative feelings (or both) inside of you depending on your personal circumstances. While you may be excited to reconnect with your friends, your favourite activities, or some beloved teachers\u2014those three words can also be triggering, especially if you struggle in some way.<\/span><\/p>

This may be especially true for those of you struggling with in-person learning after self-isolation, those who are still figuring out their gender or sexual identity, those who haven\u2019t come out, introverted folks, and if you\u2019ve experienced bullying.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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It can also be tough to handle emotional, social, or academic situations if you\u2019re part of the neurodivergent or disability communities, also recognizing that some of you may be undiagnosed at this stage in your young queer life.<\/span><\/p>

Taking some time to check in with yourself can help you name your feelings and find ways to prioritize your needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Checking in with yourself can go a long way in shaping your school year. We recommend doing this before school starts\u2014and again throughout the year, as you grow and change. You might choose to draw or write down your thoughts in a journal to track your inner journey, or express yourself in another way that fits your style.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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To help you get started, you can boost your personal toolkit and get inspired with our many youth-led resources and educational thought pieces.<\/h6>

Check out Ethan\u2019s personal insights in <\/span>I\u2019m Not Coming Out of the Closet: The Road to Figuring Out My Sexuality<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

You can also brush up on queer facts and empowering narratives by checking out our <\/span>Summer Reads 2022: Our Top 12 Gender-Inclusive Books for Queer Youth & Allies That Take Us Beyond the Binary<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Check out a recording of our live round-table event <\/span>The Power of Perseverance: A Queer Youth Mental Health Panel<\/span><\/a> to hear personal, inspiring stories from other queer youth.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Set a tone in advance<\/b><\/h5>

Before your first day, you can email your school\u2019s administration and your teachers to let them know your pronouns or your chosen name, if they differ from your student records.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

You can also suggest to your teacher that they email the class to help set a welcoming tone and support any fellow queer students ahead of time by asking them to provide the name and pronouns they use.<\/span><\/p>

Check out GLSEN\u2019s <\/span>10 Back-to-School Tips For LGBTQ Students<\/span><\/a> to find out other ways you can help prepare yourself ahead of your first day. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Express yourself in ways that work for you<\/b><\/h5>

You can take other small steps to help align your environment with who you are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

For instance, state your pronouns when introducing yourself, or when writing your name on homework or assignments. This helps your teacher learn your pronouns, and encourages them and your classmates to share theirs.<\/span><\/p>

Check out Pree\u2019s (they\/them) \u201ccoming in\u201d story, <\/span>Trusting My Queer Heart To Guide My Path<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>and Ethan\u2019s interview with <\/span>three queer youth<\/span> who travelled from small towns to attend Toronto Pride this year, talk about the different ways they choose to express and affirm themselves.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Diversify your life\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>

As we mentioned earlier, if you\u2019re a teen or young adult, it can be especially tough to navigate your identity, expression, and your relationships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

A rapidly developing brain, hormones, and puberty can affect your mental health and your relationships with family, friends, and teachers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

No matter if you\u2019re questioning your sexual orientation or your gender identity, or you\u2019re further along in your personal journey, creating your support system and connecting with your community is an important move towards protecting your mental health.<\/span><\/p>

You can participate in 2SLGBTQ+ school initiatives or start your very own student-led group. But if school on its own doesn\u2019t quite meet all your needs, consider getting involved in extracurricular activities on evenings or weekends to feed other parts of the multi-faceted person you are.<\/span><\/p>

For instance, if you love being active but organized team sports bring up negative or binary-restrictive connotations, consider solo activities like running. Or make your own soccer team with friends\u2014and grow it by having them invite their queer or allied friends. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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