User:LRAnz98/LGBT youth vulnerability

LGBT youth vulnerability
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search LGBT youth vulnerability is the increased social vulnerability that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth face compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Due to this increased vulnerability, there are notable differences in the mental and physical health risks tied to the social interactions of LGBT youth compared to the social interactions of heterosexual youth. Youth of the LGBT community experience greater encounters with not only health risks, but also violence, due to their sexual orientation, self-identification, and lack of support from institutions in society.

Contents

 * 1Health studies
 * 2Media
 * 3Support organizations
 * 4See also
 * 5References

Health studies[edit]
LGBT youth face a variety of stressors that affect their mental health. Due to society’s tendency to discriminate against non-heterosexual sexual orientations and identities, members of the LGBT community are 3 times more likely to face mental health disorders. For instance, the constant fear of not being accepted after coming out to one’s community can lead to an anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, or substance abuse. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) LGBT teens, in particular, “are 6 times more likely to experience symptoms of depression” than their heterosexual peers as they are just beginning to navigate how to come out to friends, family, and other associates, while still developing into an adult.

Because of the crucial development stages youth experience before adolescence, it is more likely for mental disorder to be expressed if a stressor is presented. It was reported in 2012 that within the year, 10% of youth in America demonstrated a mood disorder, 25% presentes an anxiety disorder, and 8.3% presented a substance use disorder. Also, the third leading cause of death for the 10-14 age group is suicide and the second leading cause for those 15-24. Out of these statistics, youth of the LGBT community are three times more likely to experience and report suicidality.

Some studies that have been conducted are not completely inclusive of the entire LGBT community because of its rapid growth and expansion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a 2015 Youth Risk and Behavior Survey (YRBS) ,that surveyed approximately 1,285,000 LGB youth out of 16,067,000 students total in grades 9-12 nationwide and was able to provide evidence of greater physical and mental vulnerabilities among the youth of the LGBT community.

The survey found that 10% of LGB students were threatened with a weapon on school property, 34% were bullied at school, 28% of LGB students were bullied electronically and 18% experienced physical dating violence. Another 18% of LGB students had been forced to have sexual intercourse at some point. These results were successful in pointing out these vulnerabilities of LGB students, however, about 514,000 students included in the survey were not sure of their “sexual identity.” According to the CDC, there are a couple of things the school can do that are evidence and research based to help the school become a healthy place for all children, and those ways are: encourage respect for all children, no matter what their ethnicity is or sexual orientation and ban bullying, harassment, or violence. Then identify "safe places" on campus for the students like a counselor's office or a designated classroom where students of the LGBTQ community can find support and feel safe, and ensure the health curriculum and sex education is up to date regarding the LGBTQ community and have HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention information that is relevant to them.

Another survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign titled, “Growing Up LGBT in America,” acknowledges the vulnerabilities faced by about 10,000 LGBT youth from the age of 13 to 17. This survey found that 4 out of 10 youth felt that their neighborhoods weren’t accepting of the LGBT community. On top of this 73% of youth surveyed admitted to being more honest about their identity online and 26% identified their largest “problems” as being related to being out and accepted at home and/or school. The contrast this survey makes to 22% of non LGBT youth who identified their largest “problems” as relating to academics displays the different mindsets that are present in the two groups, thus representing the different mental effects LGBT youth experience.

Differences in vulnerability among subgroups
Diversity exists within the LGBT community, and the community may be more accepting of some members than others. LGBT youth that are also racial and ethnic minorities may be met with prejudice by white members of the LGBT community. Additionally, LGBT youth may be rejected by their racial and ethnic communities. Some communities of color may not be accepting of LBGT youth because homosexuality is seen as a reflection of ideals of white, urban society. LGBT youth of color may struggle to integrate their identity because their religious beliefs. For example, the Latinx community traditionally practices Catholicism – a religion that considers homosexuality a sin.

Bisexual individuals can also face rejection from other members of the LGBT community. Homophobia has resulted in our society dichotomizing sexual orientation (homosexual or heterosexual) rather than viewing sexual orientation as a variable construct. Transgender individuals have a gender identity that does not match their biological sex and can belong to any sexual orientation. Transgender individuals are victimized at higher rates than lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth, and they also have worse mental health outcomes.

School counselors
School counselors should be educated on issues LGBT students face and be aware of their own biases. School counselors should not assume that students are heterosexual, and it is important for them to use gender neutral language when asking students about their relationships. School counselors can display LGBTQ books as well as posters to signal to students that their office is a safe space. School counselors can also provide psychoeducation to school faculty and administrators on risk of victimization among LGBTQ students and advocate for the safety of all students.

Leaders in schools and communities
Schools are encouraged to address bullying proactively and educate students on anti-bullying policies. If policies are not already in place, schools should enact policies that prohibit harassment. Schools should have GSA to support LGBT students as well as promote a more accepting school climate. If school and community leaders should make programs for LGBT youth available in the community, and can reach out to groups, such as the Trevor Project for education on such topics.

Parents
Parents are also encouraged to take a proactive approach and let their children know they are loved regardless of the sexual orientation and gender identity. When children do come out as LGBT, parents should react with support.

Mental Health Interventions
There are some unique tasks for counselors when working with LGBT youth. One of the main tasks for counselors is to help students weigh the costs and benefits of coming out. LGBT youth face psychological distress if they stay closeted but coming out to their family could result in homelessness and abuse. Counselors are also tasked with helping the parents understand and cope with their child’s identity. Parents religious beliefs may be critical of homosexuality, and they will need help reconciling their religious beliefs with their child’s LGBT identity. Counselors should also educate parents on factors that can reduce LGBT vulnerability, such as parental acceptance of their identity.