Adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or members of the queer community (LGBTQ+) are at a greater risk for developing mental health issues due to minority stressors. Minority stressors are experiences and events related to being a minority that result in disturbance or maladjustment. Examples of minority stressors are the expectation of rejection, direct experience of discrimination or prejudice, and internalization of negative attitudes in society.

There are numerous ways that you can support an adolescent who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This post discusses four specific actions that you can utilize to support their development.

1. Educate Yourself – get to know the terms (pronouns, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.). A few great resources are listed below:
   • NPR –  https://www.npr.org/2021/06/02/996319297/gender-identity-pronouns-expression-guide-lgbtq
   • Child Welfare – https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/lgbtq/lgbt-families/
   • My Resource Center (DFW area) – https://myresourcecenter.org
2. Prevent and Address Bias – Discuss the following concerns with your adolescent: bullying and harassment, family conflict and rejection, minority stress, gender stereotypes, and peer influence. The discussion can serve as a preventative measure or early detection. If you discover that any of these issues are occurring, address them with urgency.
3. Create a LGBTQ+ Affirming Home and Environment – Provide an authentically safe space for your adolescent by respecting their gender/sexual identity and expression. Celebrate diversity in all forms, including access to a variety of books, movies, and materials that show positive representation of queer relationships and/or LGBTQ+ individuals.
4. Build and Maintain a Loving and Supportive Relationship –  Discuss topics that are important to your adolescent regularly. In addition to these discussions, participate in family-oriented/adolescent-centered activities. Maintain this engagement as well as foster healthy boundaries and vulnerability.

Engaging in these four aforementioned actions will create an affirming environment for your adolescent and help reduce their risk of developing mental health issues.

References

• Child Welfare (2021). Supporting LGBT Youth https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/lgbtqyouth.pdf
• Drug Free Organization (2017). Preventing Substance Abuse Among LGBTQ Teens. Retrieved from https://drugfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/HRC-LGBTQ-Youth-Substance-Abuse-Issue-Brief.pdf
• My Resource Center (2023). https://myresourcecenter.org
• NPR (2021).Gender Identity and Expression https://www.npr.org/2021/06/02/996319297/gender-identity-pronouns-expression-guide-lgbtq
• Velez, B. L., Polihronakis, C. J., Watson, L. B., & Cox, R. (2019). Heterosexism, racism, and the mental health of sexual minority people of color. The Counseling Psychologist, 47(1), 129-159. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019828309