Lgbt Support Groups

Neveah is currently placed at a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) due to her mental health history. Additionally, Neveah’s treatment is covered by private medical insurance. Neveah’s father has insurance through his place of employment that covers mental health services, which allows her to be placed at the center. Neveah completes online school at the center, but will transition to her previous public school after treatment. Education and school policies will affect Neveah as she transitions back to a public school. Lastly, Neveah is involved in a Pentecostal institution. Her father and stepmother identify as Pentecostal and seek guidance as well as mental health services from the institution. Neveah would benefit from engagement with an LGBT youth support group. The support group may provide Neveah with acceptance and support regarding her sexual orientation. Currently, she is not receiving this acceptance from her father and stepmother and this is an important aspect of her developmental

Ryan, Caitlin Ryan; Russell, Stephen, T.; Huebner, David; Diaz, Rafael; Sanchez, Jorge, 2010, Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT young Adults, Journal of Child and Adolescence Psychiatric Nursing, Volume 23, pp. 205-213

These results are meant to spark an interest in their audience and give way to even more in-depth study of the experiences of LGBTQ youth. The information is not just for those in education but it very important for them. There must be methods of intervention and procedures to prevent negative outcomes when a child does decide to confine in his parents about his/her sexuality. There have been studies done in order to identify the adolscents who idenfiy as LGBTQ. One example of a specific study conducted was by Casey Field Office Mental Health (CFOMH). This organization set out with a few questions for a group of foster youth. The study interviewed 188 adolescents ages 14 to 17 who were receiving foster care services from Casey Family Programs in 2006. About 10 children of the group of 188 youths identified as LGBQ. This study includes both the experiences of the LGBTQ youth groups as well as their non-LGBTQ counterparts. The results of this study concluded that out of the 10 students who identify as LGBTQ all felt as though they were not being given the help they needed. They felt marginalized. Another more recent study, the Los Angeles Foster Youth Study (LAFYS), was also conducted by the Los Angeles

Part of my training in becoming a counselor, I have developed and continue to develop skill to advocate for all youths. Through mindfulness training, I want be an advocate for LGBTQ youths by empowering them and providing useful skills that promote independent living. Every youth, gender conforming or non-gender conforming, deserves the right to live a success, content and fulfill life.

We have all seen the classic television scene, where a happy family consisting of one mother, one father, and two children is hovered around a table or a couch. Although still prominent, this scene is becoming less common nowadays as more families become non-traditional. More families than ever are consisting of one mother and children, one father and children, grandparents and children, and even two mothers or two fathers and children. These households, although not what most people consider a normal household, are becoming more common and regular in today’s society. Homosexual parents and families are indeed different from more traditional families, but not for the worse. This trend is not increasing

The Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered (LGBT) youth population is one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Being gay does not lead to risky behaviors or bad decision making, rather, societal stigma and discrimination can lead LGBT youth to seek emotional outlets. Today’s society has improved immensely towards the LGBT community, although it has not always been this way. Society can affect a person in shocking ways, influencing one’s unhealthy and unsafe physical and mental behaviors. This current vulnerable population deserves a voice and the simplicity of someone listening to them in order for both sides, accepting and non-accepting, to find a common ground and settle the violence.

Research has found that for LGBTQ youth one of the most important task is coming out to others which is a process that “…often involves acknowledgement of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity…grappling with implications for family relationships, peers, relationships and dating, initial life-planning steps, and ensuring school and community-based safety, security, and well-being” (Weber & Poster, 2010, p.1). These implications highlight the importance of maintaining an open and accepting attitude towards my work with Mary to ensure that I do not pressure her to come out to her parents when she unready to do so. I must work to ensure that I empower Mary and uphold her right to self-determinate in her decision to come out to her family. Because coming out to one’s family and friends is a very complex, scary, and tedious process I need to be conscientious that there are many micro, mezzo, and macro factors that will influence when, how, and even if, Mary will come out to her family as Asexual and questioning her gender identity.

The lack of understanding of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender (LBGT) community has led to the discrimination and maltreatment of LBGT individuals. For this reason, LGBT people have high incidences of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide (SAMHSA, n.d.). In addition, LBGT individuals are at a greater risk of being victims of violence due to their sexual orientation (Shapiro, 2016). The LBGT community faces disparities in mental health care due to influencing factors including: environment; culture; isolation; stigma; and access to health care and benefits (SAMHSA, n.d.). Lesbians Violence Lesbians, like other members of the LBGT community, are victims of violence.

During the transition these adolescents each have a different experience, so examining physical, emotional, and psychological aspects helps the therapist and adolescent to make the transition less stressful. Parents that have a harder time with their child transitioning may have feelings of disappointment, confusion, fear, denial, shame, loss, and grief. Since the topic of transgenderism is taboo, other issues such as lack of information and support groups can be hard to find for the families of transgender adolescents, and can cause negative feelings about the transition. This is why it is important to include parents and other family members in the assessment and therapy of these adolescents. The clinical assessment tool that Coolhart, Baker, Farmer, Malaney, & Shipman, propose is built on the Coolhart et al.’s tool for assessing adult transsexual clients and their readiness for the process to transition. This new tool helps therapists, who

Another area that demands acceptance towards sexual orientation is by parents. The average American has heard about an instance where someone “came out of the closet.” Although, most people don’t think about what happens after they tell their parents the truth about their sexuality. For millions of teens across America, their situation results in either running away or being kicked out. According to the TrueColorsFund website, homelessness is experienced by over 1.5 million youth a year, and up to 40% are LGBT. Considering the LGBT community is far smaller than 40% of the entire youth population, a problem is obviously occurring. To extend, the leading cause of homelessness is family disputes over the child’s sexuality (Durso and Gates 4). When a child tells their parents, a negative reaction is expected. In many cases, though, the parents overreact and kick them out because they think abandonment will change their mind and the child will come crawling back. Not accepting their child surrenders them to possibly years on the streets, exposing them to drugs, rape, and prostitution. When their parent’s rejection combines with the common mental health issues of LGBT teens, suicide rates skyrocket. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Nearly one-third (29%) of LGB youth had attempted suicide at least once in the prior year compared to 6% of

It can be very difficult for LGBTQ children to be open about their sexuality or gender orientation, especially if they do not receive support from the ones who are supposed to love them no matter what. Parents positively influence the health of their LGBTQ children by providing support an encouragement. Children should be able to talk to their parents about their issues and receive beneficial advice and support. Parents’ influence on the health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens: What parents and families should know explained that parents who support their LGBTQ children decrease the risk of the children becoming depressed, abusing drugs or alcohol, and committing suicide(Centers for Disease Control). Therefore, I believe that parents of LGBTQ youth can have a significant impact on the health of their children. As a country, we must encourage each other to accept people for who they are. It is imperative that this acceptance beings in the home and at

11). Ryan’s research article explains the importance of family support on the adolescent’s development. For individuals in the LGBT population family support is more important for the individual’s development and mental health. “LGB youth who came out to a parent or family member reported verbal and physical abuse by family members and higher levels of suicidality than youth who had not disclosed to their families” (Ryan, 2010, p.11). Therefore, the family’s negative reaction to the individual’s sexual orientation can lead to an individual feeling rejected and depressed. It is important that a counselor help the family learn acceptance and support for their adolescent who identifies as LGBT to avoid depression and suicide. Lastly, “we have found that even very rejecting families can learn to support their LGBT children” (Ryan, 2010, p. 11). Hence, even families who are rejecting of their adolescence can learn acceptance and support. It is important, as a counselor, to provide effective therapy to every individual in the family so that they can learn to support.

Nearly 26 per cent of GLBT youth are forced to leave their homes due to disputes concerning sexual orientation. This leaves the youth feeling isolated and unaccepted by the family. Often, teens believe running away is the only option. It makes teens feel like they have some control of their situation (Quinn, 2002). If GLBT teens seek refuge in a shelter will they meet the same discrimination and rejection they initially were trying to escape? Counselors at shelters need to be prepared to protect, and not perpetuate, these GLBT teens from further victimization.

Many LGTBTQ people struggle with identity when they are young. Some tell their parents how they really feel and others choose to “stay in the closet”. Either way, the transition for most people is not easy. The panel leaders at the discussion expressed their different journeys of when they “came out” and how family and friends reacted. One of the panel leaders said that when she told her parents that she was gay, they immediately did not want to talk about it. Some other panel leaders said that their parents blew up about it at first and now they have become more accepting. Some of the common phrases that most friends and family members have told them were “it is just a phase”, “you have not been with the right man yet”, and “you are going to hell”. Most of the panel leaders said that when they “came out” it put a strain on their family relationships. The transgender woman said that she has not been to any Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings because of the rejection she has felt from her family. She also does not really speak to her dad anymore. Another panel leader, who is a lesbian, said that her mom has met her girlfriend but is still not that accepting of her lifestyle. She said her mom’s biggest question is “Are you going to marry a woman?’. She also does not like to be around her extended family because they always “throw bible scriptures at her”. One thing I found interesting was that all the panelists had in common was that they all have had issues with their family acceptance of who they are, but they feel like they have found a home within the LGBTQ community here at Mississippi State. This is important because Mississippi State embraces diversity. Even though there is still more work to be done to increase diversity and inclusion, many people still can find an organization they can identify with and grow as a person in their own beliefs and

(2009)” Studies showed that these children and young adults are as popular as children reared by heterosexual parents; at school they have grades within average, the same level of stress as other kids. In general, they have normal relationships with peers and adults. Most of them accept their parent’s sexual orientation; some even get inspired by their parent’s courage to be different.