# @resilienttoday on Instagram - **Type:** Image - **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_CJNQggiM - **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/1179536-resilienttoday-instagram - **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/cd45427189.jpg - **Posted:** 2020-06-28T16:07:45.000+00:00 - **Account Owner:** Lost&Found (@resilienttoday) — https://gondola.cc/resilienttoday ## Caption Today is a very special Lost&Found #SundayStories! We’re honored to spotlight another powerful advocate for resilience and youth mental health. Learn more about @noelgordonjr: . . ❓Lost&Found’s mission is based on resilience, what does the word “resilience” mean to you? . Noël: “The first word that comes to mind is courage. I think it takes immense courage to be proud of you who are, especially as an LGBTQ person of color, in a world riddled with bias, prejudice and discrimination. Whenever I find myself in need of some courage, I draw on the lessons instilled in me several years ago by my family. They taught me how to show up, speak out, and stand proud of my background as an openly gay man with Afrocarribean and Latino roots.” . ❓ What is something you want individuals to know who are looking for help with their mental health? . Noël: “There are therapists out there who are trained to help you overcome the pain of racist harassment and LGBTQ discrimination. Seek them out. You might start your search with the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: https://www.nqttcn.com” . ❓ If you’re willing to share, could you tell us about your mental health journey or connection with suicide? . Noël: “I’m blessed to be doing physically, emotionally, and psychologically well at this point in my life, but it hasn't always been this way. I first contemplated suicide when I was 10 or 12 years old. I had just recently come out of the closet and feared no one I knew would accept me for being gay. I had internalized all kinds of hateful messages about my sexual orientation and gender identity from religious leaders in my local community. Their words led me into a deep, dark depression that took years to pull out of. I'm a big proponent of therapy because I know it works.” Hear more from Noël later this week during their Instagram takeover! 
#WeAreHere #PrideMonth #ResilientToday #LGBTQ #SundayStoriesLF ## Stats - **Views:** 0 - **Likes:** 19 - **Shares:** 0 - **Comments:** 0 ## Tags sundaystorieslf, resilienttoday, pridemonth, lgbtq, sundaystories, wearehere --- Copyright (c) Gondola