Supporting Queer Youth & Adult Mental Health
Updated: Dec 16, 2022
By Dr. Charmain Jackman
As we close out June and Pride Month, I want to take this opportunity to share some highlights
from conversations that I have had with our amazing Queer therapists and mental health
advocates on Thriving Thursdays this month.
Here are 5 learning opportunities that I will be taking on:
1. Language matters - Using inclusive language is a powerful way to let people know that
they are welcomed, affirmed, and accepted. However, as Dr. Sarah Moon suggests,
language is constantly changing, and as a result you will likely make mistakes. When you
receive feedback about a mistake you made, listen, apologize and do better next time.
2. Create affirming and accepting spaces - Research from The Trevor Project highlights
that there is a 40% decline in suicide rates when an adolescent has an accepting adult!
Queer youth have higher levels of anxiety, depression, suicide attempts, and
homeslessness that is usually caused by rejection from family, peers, teachers, clergy.
They may also choose to suffer in silence because of the fear of being the target of
violence. Creating spaces like Gender & Sexuality Alliance groups, affinity
groups/employee resource groups (ERGs) provide spaces for people to gather in
supportive ways.
3. Normalize pronoun use - It is essential to help the individuals around you feel respected
and acknowledged in a way that works best for that individual. It is important to
normalize asking people about the pronouns they use (not the pronouns they prefer).
Some people also do not use pronouns, and just want to use their names. While some may
fret about grammar, centering the experiences of our Trans and Gender Queer friends and
colleagues is the most important thing here. No one likes being misgendered!
4. Avoid the gender binary - Our gender vocabulary is extremely binary, which can leave
people feeling excluded in the different spaces at work, schools, and even at home.
Gender guessing games and gender reveal parties reinforce the gender binary. Also,
asking caregivers about the gender of their child (e.g., Do you have a boy or girl?) is
another way that the gender binary gets reinforced. If you want to know more about a co-
workers child/ren, try asking about their grades or their child’s hobbies.
5. Celebrate Queer History and Culture - Dr. Sarah Moon highlighted that there is so
much joy, connection, and community within the Queer identity and expressed the
importance of celebrating Pride month. Also, learning Queer history and including in
curriculum and other programming is essential to highlighting the contributions of Queer
individuals.
There are several ways to support and advocate for the Queer community. We invite you to use
the resources below to create your personal action plan:
Innopsych’s latest Thriving Thursday Pride month episodes:
Dr. Jackman and Dr. David Zelaya
Dr. Jackman and Reverend Dr. Pastor Crowley
Dr. Jackman and Dr. Sarah Moon
Additional Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) LGBT Youth Resources
Sources:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/preventing-suicide/facts-about-suicide/