June was Pride month, and it was a powerful one. It took us from highs like the designation of our nation’s first LGBT historic site, the Stonewall National Monument, to the tragic low of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting.
These events show that although we’ve made great strides locally and nationally in the past few years, our work is not yet done. Why? Because the mental health and physical safety of our LGBTQ community members remains at risk.
At Youth Eastside Services (YES), we’re particularly concerned with the risks to LGBT youth, who are still:
Four times more likely to attempt suicide.
Nearly twice as likely to be called names, verbally harassed or physically assaulted at school.
More than twice as likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
More likely to feel unsafe at school.
The list of impacts goes on. So what do you do if your child tells you that they’re questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation?
Talk. Be open to answering your children’s questions about gender and sex. The more open you are with your children, the more open they’ll be with you. Children need to feel safe talking with you, and these discussions should start well before high school.
Listen. Let your teen know that you’re there for them and listen to their concerns without judgment. Thank them for coming to you, and respect their wishes to share or not share what you’ve discussed. Also ask them directly if they’re being harassed or bullied, and whether or not they feel safe at school.
Report. If you know of a LGBTQ teen who’s suicidal, call YES (425-747-4937), the Crisis Clinic (206-461-3222), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), or 9-1-1. If you know of an LGBTQ teen who’s being harassed or bullied, report it — or encourage the teen to report it — to their school, the police or another appropriate authority.
Reach out. Connect your teen with other LGBTQ youth, and arrange for counseling as needed as they work toward learning about themselves and how to cope with stigma. YES is a great place to start. We’ve been supporting LGBTQ youth for more than 30 years through our BGLAD group and mental health counseling services.
Educate yourself. Learn current terms (LGBTQ = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning) and challenge your own beliefs.
Pride month may be over, but our duty to support and protect LGBTQ community members and youth did not end on June 30. Practicing love, acceptance and equality is a year-round event.
Patti Skelton-McGougan is the executive director of Youth Eastside Services (YES), a nonprofit organization and a leading provider of youth and family mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and education and prevention services in East King County. Since 1968, YES has been a lifeline for youth and families struggling to overcome depression, substance abuse, trauma and more. Visit YouthEastsideServices.org or call 425-747-4937 to learn more.
