Let's Chat: How to be an ally
There are so many factors that play a role in the mental health challenges young people face. One of them is the pressure that comes with being part of a marginalized group. So, as supporters of mental health one thing we can all do is be an ally.
So, what is an ally? Here’s a good definition:
“An ally is someone who is not a member of an underrepresented group but who takes action to support that group.”
As a queer woman of colour I know that having great allies around me has made such a huge difference in my life. Feel free to share your experience of having a great ally or being one. If you're interested How to be an ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here + How to be an ally to the LGTIQA+ community here
Comments
I think this is a super important conversation to have. I think an ally may not completely understand what it is like to be a part of a particular group, but they can still try their best to be supportive. This can include listening to what the people of that group want, creating opportunities for them to have their say, standing alongside them in events and raising awareness.
I have lots of friends who are from underrepresented groups and I think just being their friend can make a big difference. I know that as a young carer, I have often felt like I was going through the experience alone because there wasn't much opportunities to meet other young carers or people who were willing to support me. So I think just showing that you care about someone can go a long way and it doesn't have to be anything big. 🙂
I think the articles say that an ally should try their best to listen and understand (while educating themselves about) the underrepresented group- about their history, culture, current issues, etc. They should speak up when someone says something inappropriate or acts in a discriminatory way and support members of the group as best they can.
I think an important thing to note is allies can sometimes get things wrong, and that's okay, but they should acknowledge when they've made a mistake and repair it as best they can
