Although being LGBTQ+ in and of itself is not a mental condition, many LGBTQ+ individuals suffer with their mental health. When I started attending Albany State University my freshman year. I joined the school’s LGBTQ+ organization. I felt seen and heard and I wanted to reach out to all of those who have struggled in their life being comfortable in their own skin. We hosted events. The first semester we gave away clothes to students and decorated them with the students. It was to bring creativity out and let those know that it is okay to be yourself and to be comfortable wearing what feels right to you. We gave away over 200 shirts and had most of them tie dyed. We also gave food to students. There are a lot of unfortunate students who do not have a meal plan. The Student Government Association has had meetings with the president on how we could help students eat. We made our voices heard and made demands to the board when changes weren’t being made. We had a barbecue and made plates for those who were interested. We partnered with other organizations. Helping my community has been such an experience that I could never forget. We really wanted to make sure that we could help those that struggle mentally. Mental health is very important to not just my organization but the school. There are startling data that demonstrate how serious the mental health crisis is in the United States. It's difficult to argue against the necessity for greater emphasis on mental health awareness when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 1 in 5 persons annually experience at least one mental health problem. With the support of their families, communities, and peers, the majority of LGBTQ+ people are highly resilient and will flourish in the face of difficulty. Now being in my final year in college. I’m excited to see how I can help my community in other ways that I haven’t had the opportunity of doing. I want to make sure that those younger than me have a voice for themselves and have the support they need in their lives. It is so important to let those who are afraid know that they do not have to hide and they are always welcome. We protect and provide for those who are unable to do so for themselves.