community. Additionally, parents can maintain strong ties with the school staff so that if and when bullying occurs in school, they can more easily advocate on behalf of their children. For those parents who love their children but are struggling in their own coming out process as parents of an LGB child, the family system can be disrupted, and it is important that any This problem was clearly brought to the national forefront in 2010 when, within a one-month period, five LGB youth in separate incidents all committed suicide as a result of being bullied. As a minority group, LGB youth experience prejudice and discrimination that not only affect their development into adulthood, but also can, for some, negatively affect their mental health (CDC, 2014b). The resilience of LGB youth varies tremendously based on the amount and degree of experienced stigma, sense of self-esteem, and social supports. Some youth progress well through early adolescence as they successfully negotiate the “group identity versus alienation” developmental task. Others experience varying degrees of alienation that may result in depression or even suicide, reflecting the affected youths’ perception that ending life would be the best way to end their pain. It is important to note that LGB youth have a higher attempted suicide rate than heterosexual youth (CDC, 2014b). It is therefore essential to be attuned to the emotional and perhaps psychological impact that the coming out process and homophobia can have on youth. LGB youth also have a higher substance use rate than their heterosexual peers (Mustanski & Liu, 2013). Family response Mental health Impact on youth Families are a major protective factor for LGB youth. When parents respond effectively and supportively, it decreases the other risks their child faces because of being LGB (Ryan & Diaz, 2011). Ideally, families should be the stable entity that provides the support for LGB youth to explore their sexual orientation in combination with their overall development. When parents are rejecting, it often springs from their hope that this will actually help their child to fit in and be happier (Ryan & Diaz, 2011). Clinicians can therefore engage parents about their hopes to help their children, and underscore the importance of their acceptance and affirmation of their children. Moreover, clinicians can guide parents away from behaviors that, while meant to help, actually increase the risk of negative outcomes for their children. Questions that parents can ask themselves in preparation for talking with their children appear in Table 3. These questions are important for parents, caregivers, and other relatives to be aware of; their genuine concern is vital and will certainly provide much- needed guidance and stability for youth. Although this varies by culture, parents may be open to suggesting to their child that counseling, including individual While mental health is very important, attending to LGB youth’s physical health is just as important. As youth think about and become sexually active, they are at increased risk of engaging in sexually risky behavior, which can lead to increased risk for contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Whitmore et al., 2012). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV infection rates have recently increased among young men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly among black/African American gay youth (Whitmore et al., 2012). Despite major education efforts, factors that account for this increase include a gap in education on disease transmission, lack of knowledge of HIV or STI status, substance use, and an overall lack of concern that they are at risk for infection (CDC, 2014a). Along with HIV, youth contracting other STIs is a further area of concern when youth are sexually active. Physical health Impact on youth
conflicts be resolved in a constructive, peaceful manner. Parents or other relatives who are upset with the youth should be very aware of how their position affects not only the child but also other family members. Families can be greatly aided during this difficult time by counseling and community support, which can help provide a stable anchor for the families. and family counseling, might be helpful. The youth should have a choice about whether or not to go to counseling. Other supports include Gay/Straight Alliances at schools, online blogging, and LGBTQ community youth groups that provide other support in lieu of, or in combination with, counseling. Parents can also be mindful that focusing exclusively on the child’s mental health can be myopic and might serve to neglect the real factor that they, themselves, may be “part of the problem” and that the family as a whole may need treatment. Table 3: Questions for Parents to ask Themselves ● Are they aware of any emotional challenges that their child might be facing? How well can they talk to their child about these challenges? ● What are their hopes for their child? ● In what ways are they or have they tried to be helpful to their child? ● What gets in their way of being more effective when talking with their child? Do they know how to seek professional assistance? ● Are they aware that they, as a family system, might need assistance? ● Is their child showing symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance dependence, or an eating disorder? ● Are they able to talk to their child about safe sex, contraceptives, and sexually transmitted diseases? One final statement is crucial regarding those professionals who persist in believing and advocating that a gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation can and should be changed. Neither is true; these archaic attitudes reflect a continued homophobia and are particularly dangerous when held by mental health practitioners because of the influence they have on LGB and questioning youth and their families. Specifically, such practitioners endorse the benefits of reparative therapy , which espouses the view that nonheterosexual orientation is both immoral and can be changed. Such an approach to treatment is antithetical, of course, to current understanding of sexual orientation as human variance rather than a psychological disorder. As discussed earlier, the American Psychological Association removed “homosexuality” from its list of “disorders” in 1973; in 1997 the same organization stated that reparative therapy was not an appropriate practice intervention because it can cause harm (APA Council of Representatives, 1997). Other major mental health organizations have followed suit. Hepatitis, syphilis, and gonorrhea are among the STIs that need immediate attention. As with HIV, individuals may not know they have an STI when they are sexually active. Family response For some families, one of the largest concerns upon learning that their child is LGB (particularly as a gay male) is that he or she will contract HIV. While this is a stereotype because certainly not all gay or bisexual youth have HIV, it is most important for parents to begin to create a supportive atmosphere in which youth can feel comfortable dialoguing about safe sex. For some, the youth may take the lead in this conversation, but for others it will likely be up to the parent or some other trusted relative or family friend to initiate this conversation. While potentially embarrassing, it is critically important to have this conversation. When possible, it is important for families to have a frank, yet supportive, discussion with their child, sooner rather than later,
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Book Code: PYCA1423
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