Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by The Suicide Prevention Resource Center and is available as an open-access article. Developed with input and review from LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and those having experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors, this resource guide is intended to serve as a novel resource for families, communities, and professionals who interact with LGBTQIA2S+ youth (ages 10 to 24). It considers current events and legislation that impact these youth, the long-standing and current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other realities that these youth face daily. It does not dwell on statistics, as those statistics are cited elsewhere;1,2 it highlights action-oriented strategies to support youth, positive elements of being LGBTQIA2S+, and sources of joy. The guide provides detailed and actionable recommendations for families, communities, technical assistance providers, and professionals who work with and support LGBTQIA2S+ youth. The resources that we reference have been carefully vetted and developed by and for LGBTQIA2S+ communities. We also highlight multiple resources in the Appendix, including four newly developed companion Focus Guides for specific audiences: (1) parents, families, and communities; (2) teachers and school staff; (3) health and behavioral health care providers; and (4) state agencies. This course on promoting mental health in LGBTQ+ youth is designed for clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their expertise with promoting mental health in LGBTQ+ youth. course material includes a literature review of interventions. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading peer reviewed research-based articles for continuing education is that they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: The Suicide Prevention Resource Center Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding promoting mental health in LGBTQ+ youth. Specifically, a professional will: Describe current statistics pertaining to LGBTQ+ youth. Identify implementation strategies for suicide prevention amongst LGBTQ+ youth. Recognize examples of projects designed to promote mental health among LGBTQ+ youth. Citation: The Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth. NORC at the University of Chicago. https://sprc.org/lgbtqia2s-youth-resources/