As the spring semester comes to an end for college students, many young adults will be returning home for summer employment to save money for the upcoming school year. For GLBT students, it may be creating anxiety and thoughts of distress of possibility returning to a homophobic environment. Going from an accepting area to an uncomfortable zone, may cause students to become very depressed and think ill rational thoughts. Not being surrounded by your peers, could make for a long summer away from college. GLBT students may find themselves working more hours, being isolated from family and friends as well as not being able to enjoy summer. The emotions attached to homosexuality can cause a student to remain and the fear of controversy with loved ones. Here are some suggestions to help the GLBT students through the summer months.

1 Be Yourself (have confidence in who you are as a person)
One of stressors for many GLBT students may be pressure to act a certain way in front of their family because of their views on homosexuality. The thought of having to portray oneself as straight, less feminine or butch can be very uncomfortable but because they want to keep the peace with the family. As a result, they feel obligated to keep up the charade.

2 Keep a Journal
If you have never kept a journal, it might be an excellent time to start one. Writing your thoughts down a regular basis can help GBLT Students work through their anxiety and distress. Now, it does not have to be every day, but maybe a 1 or 2 times a week, jotting down a couple ideas down can really help students during challenging times.

3 Exercise Regularly
College students schedule can leave very little time for exercising on a regular basis. However, the summer months can be encouragement for GLBT students to start working out in activities such as weight training, walking and jogging. This can help relieve the anxiety and depression that can be caused by not being able to be yourself to family and friends. Now, I am a not saying to become a bodybuilder or a fitness model, but rather, maintain a healthy lifestyle both physically and emotionally.

4 Have a Supportive Network
In today’s society, GLBT students have a vast array of avenues to stay connected to a supportive network such as emails, cell phones, texting and IM’s. Make a plan to talk regular to your friends to provide an emotional safe haven for yourselve. This may be helpful through the challenging times when family is not respecting you as a person as well as unable to keep their boundaries with privacy.

GLBT students have a stressful enough time during the summer with all the responsibilities, obligations and relatives to handle on a continue basis, which can cause anxiety, panic attacks and even depression. If depression is left untreated, it could potentially lead to thoughts of suicide, which is the leading cause of death among gay male, lesbians, bisexual and transsexual youth according to the most recent statistic (National Lambda Foundation, 2000). Therefore, it is vital that GLBT students surround themselves with love, encouragement and trusting during the summer days. Have a strong network can help young adults cope with the time away from college.

The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of Barron Whited.