316303540_Identify_and_Analyze_Health_Issue_in_Practice_and_Pose_an_Approach_for_Change

1 AASW Report: Addressing Mental Health and Well-being amongst LGBTQIA+ Youth Student’s Name Department, University Course Professor Name Date

2 Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 4 2. Understanding the Mental Health Issues/Challenges among LGBTQIA+ Youth .................... 4 3. Factors Contributing to Mental Health Challenges .................................................................. 6 3.1 Family Rejection and Acceptance ......................................................................................... 6 3.2 Bullying and Harassment ....................................................................................................... 7 3.3 Social Stigma and Discrimination ......................................................................................... 8 3.4 Identity and Self-Exploration ................................................................................................ 9 4. Promoting Mental Health and Overall Well-being ................................................................... 9 4.1 Comprehensive Sexuality Education ..................................................................................... 9 4.2 Safer and Inclusive Environments ......................................................................................... 9 4.3 Supportive Families and Communities ................................................................................ 10 4.4 Affirmative and Accessible Mental Health Services ........................................................... 10 5. Roles of Schools and Educational Institutions ....................................................................... 10 5.1 Educator Training and Sensitization .................................................................................... 10 5.2 Inclusive Policies and Practices ........................................................................................... 11 5.3 Peer Support Networks ........................................................................................................ 11 6. Online Communities and Digital Spaces ................................................................................ 11 7. Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 12 8. Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 12 9. References .............................................................................................................................. 13

4 LGBTQIA+ youths' mental health and welfare remain increasingly recognized as severe concerns. People who identify as LGBTQIA+ face a distinct set of obstacles, each one of which could have a significant bearing on their mental health. The investigation sheds the spotlight on the mental health challenges or difficulties encountered by LGBTQIA+ youngsters and recommends solutions for tackling these problems (Watson, 2011). While mental health remains an issue, it is essential to effectively treat such concerns and promote overall wellness amongst LGBTQIA+ adolescents. In contrast, it is crucial to establish extensive and inclusive assistance networks guided by cultural awareness and intersectionality. 2. Understanding the Mental Health Issues/Challenges among LGBTQIA+ Youth The difficulties associated with mental health are multifaceted and varied, and people from many walks of life can experience them. Although there has been a rise in both knowledge regarding mental health issues and conversations about them, there persists an urgent requirement for a more in-depth comprehension of the complex nature of such problems and the effects they have both on people and on the community in general (Vicars & Van Toledo, 2021). When contrasted with their fellow cisgender and heterosexual peers, LGBTQIA+ youth often struggle with significantly greater rates of mental health issues such as anxiety, depressive disorders, self-inflicted damage, and thoughts of suicide. Their experiences are made even more complicated by the intersectionality underlying their individuality. Their mental wellness results remain influenced in various ways, including their gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and financial background. This research covers one of the most critical issues facing the LGBTQIA+ youth community today: their psychological well-being and health. It examines the

5 difficulties people encounter due to discrimination, social stigma, the rejection of family members, and bullying. Therefore, the investigation emphasizes the need for connection with nurturing households and settings, comprehensive sexuality-based education, readily available mental health resources, and safe surroundings to enhance their mental health. Schools, other educational facilities, and internet-based communities play vitally important roles in cultivating inclusivity and assisting those with disabilities (Vicars & Van Toledo, 2021). The research's conclusions include several suggestions designed to facilitate the development of a more accepting and caring culture toward LGBTQIA+ young people. The complex interaction of psychological, biological, and environmental elements is at the heart of many mental health difficulties. A tendency passed down through generations, chemical imbalances in the brain, and abnormalities in how the nervous system gets wired can all play a role in developing diseases such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Understanding the biological underpinnings of these difficulties might help minimize the associated stigma and create a more compassionate attitude toward people coping with them as LGBTQIA+ youth (Tschakert et al., 2017). A person's psychological characteristics, such as coping methods, personality qualities, and previous experiences with traumatic events, also substantially impact their mental health. Childhood traumas, such as emotional or physical abuse or abandonment, can leave a lasting imprint on an adult's mental health and well-being. In addition, negative thoughts and coping mechanisms that fail to function well can worsen mental health problems (Tschakert et al., 2017). When these psychological processes are understood, it is easier to encourage therapeutic procedures specifically tailored to address the underlying reasons.

7 directly result from feeling accepted (Hamama, 2011). Family embrace has become demonstrated to reduce the risk of feeling depressed, anxious, and suicidal thoughts among LGBTQIA+ youth. However, rejection from one's family can devastate one's mental health. Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and experience family rejection are more likely to struggle emotionally. Isolation, embarrassment, and even self-injury can occur from the psychological impact caused by being abandoned, subjected to severe critique, or experiencing spiritual or societal disapproval (Hamama, 2011). Rejection by one's family can leave a lasting emotional scar that might affect one's ability to form healthy bonds with friends, lovers, and future children. 3.2 Bullying and Harassment Youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ are disproportionately affected by bullying and harassment, which endanger the lives of all young people. These abusive situations threaten mental health, stunt individual development, and reduce quality of life. Youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ remain disproportionately targeted by bullies and harassers (Hamama, 2011). Their personalities, which are different from usual, make them easy targets for harassment, abuse, and murder. Schools, wherein these kids spend an essential part of their early years, are regular places to see such things happening. Fear, uncertainty, and solitude are bred by the victim's exposure to verbal assault, online harassment, physical attacks, and discriminatory behavior (Hamama, 2011). Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are disproportionately affected by bullying and harassment. These events may severely impact their psychological well-being.

8 3.3 Social Stigma and Discrimination While the LGBTQIA+ community has achieved significant advances in the battle for equality, young LGBTQIA+ people face enormous challenges from social discrimination and stigma. Opposing views can have severe consequences for people's psychological health, sense of self-worth, and quality of life as a whole. Stigma occurs when members of a group are looked down upon by society as a whole (Hamama, 2011). People who identify as LGBTQIA+, particularly young people, are often stigmatized since their sexuality and gender are not the norm. This prejudice can take many forms, from being left out of social groups to being called names. Internalized humiliation and self-hatred are significant contributors to mental health problems like sadness, anxiety, and reduced self-esteem resulting from such events. Directly related to stigma includes discrimination and the unjust treatment of people because of who they are. Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ face discrimination in many different contexts, including educational institutions, places of employment, medical centers, and public areas. For example, LGBTQIA+ youth suffer from an increased likelihood of homelessness due to parental rejection, and harassment and intimidation are all too common in schools. Social prejudice and stigma can be devastating during the early stages of youth and early adulthood (Grbich, 2004). Teens who identify as LGBTQIA+ frequently have to deal with the additional strain of coming to terms with their own identities and the demands of their communities. 3.4 Identity and Self-Exploration An essential part of coming of age is figuring out who you are and where you fit in the world. This process can be particularly challenging for young people identifying as LGBTQIA+ since they explore their sexuality and identities outside the mainstream. To succeed

10 4.3 Supportive Families and Communities It is possible to lessen the amount of family rejections by enlightening families regarding LGBTQIA+ identification and assisting in gaining tolerance (Ezzy, 2023). The sensation of being a member or belonging and protection from the potentially damaging effects of stigma might get provided by support networks. 4.4 Affirmative and Accessible Mental Health Services The LGBTQIA+ youth community should have easy access to professional psychological health services that are attentive to their unique needs (Ezzy, 2023). Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with affirmative methods of counseling that acknowledge and accept their identities as individuals. 5. Roles of Schools and Educational Institutions 5.1 Educator Training and Sensitization Providing educators with the tools to understand better the problems that confront LGBTQIA+ youth could assist in building more empathic and supportive environments (Alston et al., 2018). The ability to address incidents that involve harassment and offer direction ought to constitute a skill that every educator possesses. 5.2 Inclusive Policies and Practices LGBTQIA+ kids should get protected from harassment and discrimination in schools by enforcing inclusive policies. Amenities and clothing codes that do not discriminate based on sexual orientation are two instances. Recognizing, respecting, and including those who identify as LGBTQIA+ in all facets of society is just as crucial (Alston et al., 2018). Discrimination cannot remain tolerated, and diversity gets embraced in welcoming spaces. Education serves a

11 vital role by combating stereotypes and encouraging compassion in students, faculty, and the wider community. 5.3 Peer Support Networks Developing peer assistance networks and overall LGBTQIA+ student- based organizations can provide an overwhelming feeling of identity and unity, thereby lessening the sense of alienation, which could contribute to difficulties with mental health (Alston et al., 2018). 6. Online Communities and Digital Spaces Young LGBTQIA+ people rely heavily on the internet and online groups for socialization, support, and information gathering. Support, self-determination and a feeling of community flourish on these channels. However, their particular difficulties must be handled with care (Alston et al., 2018). Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ can, thankfully, find community online regardless of their location. Therefore, a refuge where individuals can feel secure opening up, telling their tales, and being heard is provided by online groups. Those who do not possess access to such a network in real life may find the relationship to be all the more meaningful. 7. Recommendations  Create and administer inclusive sexuality education programs for students of all identities in the classroom, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+.  Raise more money for LGBTQIA+ youth-specific mental health programs.  Start a movement to end stigma and prejudice on a national scale (Alston et al., 2018).  Create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in neighborhoods and universities.

13 9. References Alston, M., Hargreaves, D., & Hazeleger, T. (2018). Postdisaster Social Work: Reflections on the nature of place and loss. Australian Social Work , 71 (4), 405–416. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407x.2017.1409776 Ezzy, D. (2023). Education, religion, and LGBTQ+ in Australia. Journal of Beliefs & Values , 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2023.2206229 Grbich, C. (2004). Health in Australia: Sociological concepts and issues . Pearson/Longman. Hamama, L. (2011). Differences between children’s and adults’ social workers on burnout, work conditions, and organizational social support. British Journal of Social Work , 42 (7), 1333– 1353. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcr135 Serrano Amaya, J. F., & Ríos González, O. (2019). Introduction to the special issue: Challenges of LGBT research in the 21st Century. International Sociology , 34 (4), 371–381. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580919856490 Tschakert, P., Barnett, J., Ellis, N., Lawrence, C., Tuana, N., New, M., Elrick‐Barr, C., Pandit, R., & Pannell, D. (2017). Climate change and loss, as if people mattered: Values, places, and experiences. WIREs Climate Change , 8 (5). https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.476 Vicars, M., & Van Toledo, S. (2021). Walking the talk: LGBTQ allies in Australian Secondary Schools. Frontiers in Sociology , 6 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.611001

14 Watson, J. (2011). Resistance is futile? Exploring the potential of motivational interviewing. Journal of Social Work Practice , 25 (4), 465–479. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2011.626653