Written by: Tadeja Munyui

June is Pride month a time to celebrate, remember and stand together with LGBTQIA+ communities around the world. But beyond the rainbow flags and parades is something deeper: a story of resilience, identity and the ongoing fight for mental wellbeing.

At MIELI Without Borders, we believe that good mental health is a basic human right and that means making space where LGBTQIA+ people feel safe, seen and supported.

A Brief History of Pride

Pride began as a protest. The modern LGBTQIA+ movement took off after the Stonewall Uprising in New York City in 1969, when queer and trans people,especially Black and Brown trans women, stood up against police violence and oppression. Since then, Pride has become both a celebration and a reminder: the fight for justice and equality isn’t over.

Pride is more than visibility, it’s about belonging. It’s about saying out loud that LGBTQIA+ people deserve to live freely, safely and without shame.

Why Pride Matters for Mental Health

LGBTQIA+ people face higher rates of mental health issues, not because of who they are, but because of how they’re treated by society. Stigma, discrimination and being excluded, all take a toll.

Research shows that LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts,especially if they don’t have support.Living with constant stress, like fear of rejection or harassment (what researchers call minority stress), harms mental health.

On the flip side, support, affirmation, and community help people feel stronger, safer, and less alone.Pride events give people something many don’t get anywhere else: a sense of belonging. Whether it’s marching in a parade, raising a flag or just seeing others live openly, Pride can be incredibly healing.

Marching Together at Helsinki Pride 2025

MIELI Without Borders is proud to have taken part in Helsinki Pride Parade on Saturday, June 28th – joining LGBTQIA+ communities and allies in celebration and solidarity.

We march to celebrate diversity. We march to support the mental health of all and prevent social exclusion trough community.

What We Believe

At MIELI Without Borders, we believe that mental health support must be truly inclusive. Everyone, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, or immigration status, deserves access to care that is respectful, affirming and safe.

We recognize that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights, and advocating for mental health is part of that fight. When people are denied dignity, safety or belonging, their wellbeing suffers – and that’s something we can and must change.

That’s why we aim to destigmatize and spread awareness about migrant mental health through inclusive community action. We’re committed to creating spaces where people don’t just survive – they can truly thrive.

Standing with Pride

Pride isn’t just a party. It’s a message: You matter. You belong. You are not alone.

This Pride month and every day after – MIELI Without Borders stands with LGBTQIA+ people everywhere. Join us at Helsinki Pride 2025 and help us build a world where everyone can live, love, and thrive with Pride Without Borders.

Need support? We’re here. Let’s build something better, together.

By: Ingrid André

Autumn has arrived in Finland and the city is bursting with colors. But as the days are getting shorter and colder, we need plenty of activities to warm our minds and bodies. So, to celebrate World Mental Health Day on 10.10, we got together to take in the wonderful landscapes of Lapinlahti. 

Two reasons to celebrate!  

The day was rainy and a powerful storm the night before had knocked a few branches to the ground. And something else too was in the air that day: residents had just presented the City of Helsinki with a demand to safeguard the public ownership of Lapinlahti and protect its nearly 200 years of mental health work from the 19th century to the present day. In just eight months, the initiative gathered almost 11 000 official signatures being the fifth most-signed residents’ initiative in Finland and the fourth in Helsinki. This aims to ensure that Lapinlahti and its buildings remain in public ownership for generations to come, as a shared, living cultural heritage site, providing genuine value and well-being to society. Click here to find out more about the initiative.  

Venetsia Talo, the old brick house by the waterfront  

We met at Venetsia Talo which is currently hosting an art exhibition by The Ukrainian Association in Finland. “Woman in Times of War” brings together Ukrainian and Finnish visual artists to share their reflections and experiences and explores a woman’s perspective on the devastating impact of war. Paintings, embroidery pieces and object-based art are on display until 31.11.2024. For opening hours, follow the link. 

Being fully present feels good 

To break the ice and warm up, we used a round of simple exercises to invite movement, sounds and playfulness into the space. We shared what we had already noticed on our way to Lapinlahti (the amazing autumn colors were popular but also …it is getting darker!). It seems we shared a common need for relaxation and warmth. Finally, to tune our diverse group of Finnish and non-Finnish participants together, we played a listening game: count from 0 to15, in any language, eyes semi-closed and one at a time in random order. If one talks over somebody else, the group goes back to zero and the game starts all over again. We nailed it the first time so let’s challenge our listening skills and next time, count to 50, eyes fully closed! 

Being fully present, but how? Let’s start from the body 

Next was a moment of soft sensorial meditation to drop into our bodies and release some of the tensions we carry around in our backs and minds. By using simple, tangible, and easy-to-use cues, we can engage with slightly more attention than in daily life and become fully present, perceiving a maximum of things with minimal attentional effort. Indeed, admiring the beauty of a landscape, smelling the scent of a tree or listening to birds singing is only possible through our five so-called exteroceptive senses. During meditation, these various senses allow us to position our body within space, to position ourselves within our body and to feel the biological effects of this from within. Curiously, to optimize our relationship with the external world, we have to turn our attention towards our inner world. This kind of meditation can also invite a sense of belonging directly within the body; a safe anchor to validate our own presence here and take a little more space. More on Full Presence here. 

A simple score for a mindful walk

1. Let the path guide your steps and go where you feel the least resistance. Lapinlahti is safe and allows a sense of freedom. Let the air give space to your thoughts and give a sense of perspective. No screens, no agenda, no overstimulation can do wonders for our wellbeing. 
2. Use your 5 senses (+ your big body ear) to witness the space and yourself in it, openly. How does the air fill your lungs, is it cold, hot? See around, maybe something you never would notice otherwise? Watch out, poetry can be around every corner. And how does the ground feel under your feet?  
3. Have at least one moment of stillness & silence to absorb what you witness and let things integrate.  
4. Pick one element – a leaf, a stone, a sound, an image in your head, a surprising thought – to bring back with you. Share with your pair or in your notebook. 

By the time we all got back, the lovely sound of clinging teacups filled the room, and the ground was covered with paper, a bunch of charcoal sticks scattered around and ready for use. As we sipped our tea and chatted, we intuitively started to doodle, write and mark the papers. No one needed to worry about how to draw or what to write, it just happened. Eventually, we started interacting with each other’s marks for a collective moment and organically, another kind of map revealed itself. A map of our noticing and our needs, our togetherness and singularities. Somebody was just watching, taking it all in, and somebody could not stop, more space on the paper, more inspiration, more to say! 

We closed the evening by sharing our before & after sensations and agreed we should do this very soon again. And for those of you who might worry meditation, drawing or writing is out of reach, I invite you to join us for a free workshop blending sensorial meditation and creative writing in a cozy setting. See you in Luckan in Helsinki on 28.10 from 18-20.30. 

Book your spot here! 

About the facilitator – Ingrid André

Ingrid André is educated in the field of dance, art, and psychosomatic practices. She recently received her Diploma in Perceptual Education (University Pessoa, Portugal) and is currently doing an internship with MIELI Without Borders ry to make sensorial practices accessible. She explores unlearning dominant patterns as a way to widen our relational potential.  

 You can follow her on Instagram at Full Presence Helsinki  or visit her page Ingrid Andre (myportfolio.com).

Thanks you to MIITTI ry for supporting our World Mental Health Day event at Lapinlahti and don’t forget to like and follow MIELI Without Borders for more information and events on how to care for your mental well-being. 

Photos by Kamilla Fodor 

Sources & Links 

• Lapinlahden lähde news
• Lapinlahden events

By Noemí Gutiérrez Valdés 

Once upon a time, a curious girl found herself in a magical forest, protected by a pack of elephants and wolves. She felt a deep sense of safety and was ready to explore the world, uncovering new joys along the way. This image stayed with me after the final session of the “Awakening the Body: Introduction to Somatic Contemplation” workshop by Joanna Samona, where I began exploring the connection between my mind and body.  

For the last five years, I have been a PhD researcher in Plant Biotechnology in Finland, focusing on developing medicines from plants. Over the past year and a half, I have been more actively committed to maintaining a balanced approach to my mental health.  

Discovering MIELI Without Borders  

The journey began at a networking event last spring, where Hope Makara introduced the mental health activities and events promoted by MIELI Without Borders. Intrigued by the potential benefits, I decided to participate in their workshop facilitated by Joana Samona from her company Expanding Intimacy and sponsored by Citizen’s Forum.  

The Workshop Experience  

The workshop was structured as a series of three two-hour sessions held over three Saturdays in May (4, 11, and 18 May 2024). Each session focused on different aspects of somatic practices, emphasizing the connection between the mind and body.  

Session 1: Getting in Tune with the Body  

The first session introduced the concept of interoception, which involves paying attention to internal and external body sensations. Guided practices helped participants notice sensations like temperature and pressure. For someone with little prior knowledge of somatic theories, this session was enlightening, highlighting how often body signals are overlooked.  

Session 2: Understanding the Nervous System  

The second session explored the polyvagal theory, explaining how the nervous system affects emotions and behavior. Participants learned to recognize stress signals and techniques to return to a calm state, or simply recognizing our different states and embracing them. This session emphasized the importance of bodily awareness, revealing that most information processing occurs in the body rather than the brain.  

Session 3: Finding Strength in Imagery  

The final session featured e.g., a visualization exercise to find sources of strength and support. As part of my practice, my mind imagined a protective forest with wolves and elephants, bringing a profound sense of empowerment and reinforcing the idea that strength can be drawn from both internal and external resources.  

Reflections and Moving Forward  

These sessions arrived at a crucial time as I prepared for my PhD defense. They underscored the need to balance mental exertions with bodily awareness. The tools and insights from the workshop are now part of my daily routine, fostering a healthier balance between mental and physical well-being.  

The Impact on Well-being  

Despite my limited prior knowledge of somatic practices, this workshop allowed for an open-minded exploration of bodily communication, highlighting the importance of integrating somatic practices into daily life and emphasizing the connection between mind and body. I plan to add nourishing practices like daily meditation, a weekly sauna session, and more singing to my life.  

For those interested in enhancing their mental health, this workshop offers a valuable introduction to somatic practices. It sets the stage for a more balanced and mindful life, much like the curious girl in the forest, feeling protected and ready to explore the world. 

You can learn more about services and workshops by Joanna Samona from her website. https://www.expandingintimacy.com/ and you can also follower her on Instagram at @expandingintimacy.

If you want to learn more about Citizen Forum’s activities, you can read about them here.

Thank you and don’t forget to like and follow MIELI Without Borders for more information and events on how to care for your mental well-being.