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Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis

Author:
Jemma Strain
Jemma Strain
B.S. Psychology
Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
B.S.
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LGBTQ+ youth crisis support is, unfortunately, highly necessary in schools and the community. In comparison to non-LGBTQ+ teens, youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience issues such as rejection, discrimination, and violence. In turn, such treatment can impact their ability to connect to others and their mental health.1

In the face of wider awareness and understanding in schools and the community, the challenges that youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are facing may be changing – but this doesn’t mean they’re gone. For this reason, teachers and community leaders may need to know how to support LGBTQ+ youth in crisis. 

Mental health professionals are well-placed to help foster awareness and understanding for supporting the well-being of teens who identify as LGBTQ+. This article can also help by discussing:

  • The mental health issues that teens who identify as LGBTQ+ often face
  • How to support LGBTQ+ teens in schools and the community
  • LGBTQ+ youth crisis support
  • LGBTQ+ mental health resources
  • Therapy options for teens who identify as LGBTQ+
  • Where to find LGBTQ+ friendly therapists
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis

Mental Health for LGBTQ+ Teens

Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity. When a teen is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, their sexual orientation or gender identity – or both – is different than that of the typical population. It’s important to highlight that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is not a mental illness.

However, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community may make a teen more likely to experience mental health conditions. In fact, according to Mental Health America, LGBTQ+ teens are six times more likely than heterosexual teens to experience depression. Additionally, LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to feel suicidal and more than four times as likely to make attempts on their lives than non-LGBTQ+ identifying teens. It may also be the case that younger members of LGBTQ+ groups and those who identify as bisexual and transgender may experience the most mental health concerns within this population.2

The reasons why rates of mental health issues are higher in LGBTQ+ youth could come down to a variety of reasons. Yet, feeling different and unaccepted by others is a risk factor for mental health problems for anyone – regardless of their sexual orientation and gender. Therefore, the high rates of discrimination, family rejection, violence, and harassment that LGBTQ+ youth often face can make them feel misunderstood and disconnected from society.3 

While the climate around understanding and appreciating the LGBTQ+ community is shifting, there’s still a concerning amount of stigma, lack of awareness, and isolation in how LGBTQ+ youths are treated. For this reason, it’s important that teachers and community leaders know how to support LGBTQ+ youth in crisis. 

Supporting LGBTQ+ Teens

Teachers and community leaders can support LGBTQ+ teens by fostering a culture of acceptance, appreciation, and understanding – reducing the risk of developing mental health conditions. Mental health professionals are skilled at knowing how to help others go about creating environments such as these, but the following steps can also help. 

Educate Others:

Stigma is one of the biggest barriers teens face when acknowledging that they need mental health support. What’s more, the largest weapon at stigma’s disposal is a lack of awareness. It’s important that teens who identify as LGBTQ+ feel free to grow and thrive in schools and communities that are free of discrimination. Therefore, educational programs that increase awareness of the LGBTQ+ community, develop supportive professionals, focus on creating an inclusive curriculum, and support students’ mental health are essential. 

Mental health professionals can discuss ways to create comprehensive LGBTQ+ educational programs for schools and the community. 

Create LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces:

Safe spaces in the school and community give youths who identify as LGBTQ+ the opportunity to express themselves, free from the risk of judgment and stereotyping. As a teacher or community leader, you can lay the foundations for creating LGBTQ+ safe spaces. For instance, LGBTQ+ student-led clubs and Gender and Sexual Alliances (GSAs) provide support, connection, and a sense of community for teens who identify as LGBTQ+. It may be worth noting that LGBTQ+ teens’ voices may be essential for ensuring the success of such groups. If these groups and safe spaces are designed specifically with these youths’ opinions in mind, they will better cater to their needs. 

Use Non-Stigmatizing Language:

When talking to youths or creating written information about LGBTQ+ issues, it’s important to use non-stigmatizing language that doesn’t stereotype or shame. You can use the following examples as a guideline:

  • Say “Young person who identifies as LGBTQ+” instead of “An LGBTQ+ youth.”
  • Avoid derogatory terms or slang
  • Use “Person with a mental health condition” instead of “Mentally ill person.”
  • Avoid saying “disorder” and instead use terms such as “condition” or “struggles.”

 

The LGBTQ+ community is evolving, so it’s also good to keep up with recent terminologies. Additionally, if you’re unsure of someone’s pronouns, it’s OK to ask as long as you do so in a respectful and inclusive way. However, don’t ask youths who are trans-identifying about their birth gender or name, as this may be perceived as intrusive. 

Be an Active Ally:

You don’t have to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community to openly show your support and appreciation for those who are. Plus, by doing so, you’re demonstrating that you’re a source of safety for teens who identify as LGBTQ+. Therefore, youths experiencing mental health crises may be more likely to turn to you during times of need. 

You can demonstrate that you’re an ally by educating others about the LGBTQ+ community, wearing pride pins, openly talking about the community in supportive ways, and attending LGBTQ+ events. 

All of these steps can be useful when supporting LGBTQ+ teens and making them feel more connected and accepted. However, if a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+ struggles with a mental health condition such as depression, you may need to know how to support them during times of crisis. We discuss ways to support these youths next. 

LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Support

If you believe that a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+ is experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s important not to wait to intervene. Teens in this community are not intrinsically more likely to consider suicide because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, how they’re treated in society can put them at higher risk.4

If you’re concerned about an LGBTQ+ teen’s mental well-being and safety, the following actions can help. 

1. Talk to Them About Your Concerns:

Despite common misconceptions, talking to a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+ about whether they’re thinking about ending their own life will not put the thought of suicide in their head. Additionally, while thoughts about suicide aren’t all that uncommon in teenagers, actually making a plan to end their own life is. Therefore, it’s important to gently question whether they have steps in mind for taking their life and listen to them non-judgmentally. 

Let them know that you’re there to help them get the support they need, including seeking family and professional mental health input. Also, if you’re concerned about their immediate safety, it may be necessary to call 911 or a suicide hotline. 

2. Increase Their Support:

Linking teens up with LGBTQ+ support groups online and in the community can help them feel more accepted and understood. As a further point, while family support is important, research suggests that only one-third of LGBTQ+ youths feel accepted by their parents. Additionally, a further one-third feel like their parents openly reject them.5

While we can be hopeful that these statistics are improving, if a teen expresses that their family isn’t their preferred source of support, there may be a reason for this. You don’t have to exclude parents from your concerns, but it may be worthwhile focusing on helping them get social support outside of the family unit. 

3. Seek Professional Mental Health Advice:

If you’re concerned about a teen’s well-being, you don’t have to handle the issue alone. Schools often have on-site mental health services which can arrange for an assessment of a teen’s mental health symptoms. These services could also make referrals to community resources which can provide outpatient and residential treatment for a youth’s needs – ensuring compassionate care and support. However, if you’re unsure about how to access mental health services, mental health professionals can guide you through the process. 

4. Connect Them With Crisis Intervention Services

Even if you’re not immediately concerned about a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+’s safety, connecting with crisis services, such as the 988 Suicide Hotline and the Trevor Lifeline hotline can provide you with resources and tools for protecting a child’s well-being. We provide more information on LGBTQ+ mental health resources next.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources

If an LGBTQ+ teen is experiencing a mental health crisis that threatens their physical well-being or safety, the best step to take may be to call 911 or bring the teen to the nearest emergency department. First responders and emergency department staff are trained in managing mental health crises and will understand the right actions to take to safeguard a child’s well-being. 

Additionally, there are LGBTQ+ crisis hotline and suicide prevention phone services that are specifically dedicated to the issues LGBTQ+ teens face. For instance, the Trevor Project offers the Trevor Lifeline hotline which is available 24/7 by calling 1-866-488-7386 or texting START to 678678. 

If an LGBTQ+ teen’s life is not in immediate danger, teachers and community leaders can still help them access resources that can protect their mental health. For instance, many schools offer onsite therapy services such as counseling. Additionally, schools often collaborate with community-based mental health professionals to ensure the best outcomes for a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+’s well-being. 

The following are therapy options for protecting LGBTQ+ youths’ mental health. A mental health professional can explain these options in detail and whether they’re suitable for a teen’s symptoms. 

LGBTQ+ Youth Therapy Options

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT works by targeting teens’ thoughts and actions, identifying negative patterns, and helping them build healthy ways of coping. 

Additionally, LGBTQ-affirmative CBT adapts techniques and general principles to help youth who identify as LGBTQ+ address thought patterns and behavioral responses to stress. Plus, it can help them draw on the protective resources of the LGBTQ+ community. This form of therapy has also been proven to reduce the distress associated with LGBTQ+ crises.6

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

The trauma associated with discrimination, violence, and a lack of understanding can contribute to mental health issues such as depression in LGBTQ+ youth. EMDR is an effective way of treating trauma as it changes how memories are stored in the brain, helping a teen move past trauma and form more positive beliefs.

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal treatments, such as family therapy, can help to increase family support and acceptance for LGBTQ+ youth – reducing the risk of mental health crises. Additionally, if a teen has difficulties communicating with others, interpersonal therapy can help them work through issues and figure out better ways of expressing themselves to improve their mental health.7

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

TMS is an innovative therapy that can be used to effectively manage treatment-resistant mental health conditions. It’s a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic fields to activate nerve cells in targeted areas of the brain – improving outlook and mood. 

Group Therapy

  • Group counseling formats have shown to be especially effective in the treatment of LGBTQ+ mental health concerns as they can increase social connectedness and support. These welcoming spaces help teens understand that they’re not alone in their experiences and learn healthy ways of coping from their LGBTQ+ peers.8

Additionally, if an LGBTQ+ teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, each of these therapies – or a combination of various ones – can be delivered in outpatient and inpatient treatment.

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis

Where to Find LGBTQ+ Friendly Therapists

If you’re worried that a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+ is experiencing a mental health crisis, you may be wondering how to help them find the support they need. 

Mission Prep’s team of trained mental health professionals is committed to creating a safe space for teens in the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to consistently provide therapeutic excellence for teens experiencing any mental health conditions that are affecting their well-being. What’s more, we highlight that what they’re going through isn’t their fault – identifying as LGBTQ+ does not lead to mental health issues. However, how they’ve been treated in the community can. 

In our outpatient and residential treatment centers, we foster a sense of community. Therefore, teens who identify as LGBTQ+ can connect with like-minded peers, feel better understood, and understand how to move forward with acceptance and appreciation for who they are. If you’d like to find out more about how Mission Prep can support teens who identify as LGBTQ+ with their mental health, contact us today to find out more. 

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Supporting LGBTQ+ youth. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/lgbtq-youth/index.html
  2. Mental Health America. (n.d.). LGBTQ+ communities and mental health. https://mhanational.org/resources/lgbtq-communities-and-mental-health/
  3. University of Utah Health. (2021, July 7). Why does the LGBTQIA+ community suffer from poor mental health at higher rates? https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/07/why-does-lgbtqia-community-suffer-poor-mental-health-higher-rates
  4. The Trevor Project. (n.d.). Facts about suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/
  5. Katz-Wise, S. L., Rosario, M., & Tsappis, M. (2016). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and family acceptance. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 63(6), 1011–1025.
  6. Pachankis, J. E., Soulliard, Z. A., Layland, E. K., Clark, K. A., Levine, D. S., & Jackson, S. D. (2022). Training in LGBTQ-affirmative cognitive-behavioral therapy: A randomized controlled trial across LGBTQ community centers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(7), 582. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000745
  7. Lothwell, L. E., Libby, N., & Adelson, S. L. (2020). Mental health care for LGBT youths. Focus: The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry, 18(3), 268. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200018
  8. Craig, S. L., Iacono, G., McInroy, L., Kirkland, A., Pascoe, R., & Kourgiantakis, T. (2022). Demonstrating LGBTQ+ affirmative practice in groups: Developing competence through simulation-based learning. Clinical Social Work Journal, 50(3), 297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-022-00850-2

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