LGBTQ Youth & The Holiday Season

With the Holiday Season upon us the Family Acceptance Project has launched a national integrated online resource to help LGBTQ youth & families to find services to increase support for our LGBTQ youth during these challenging times. Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention stated, “The Family Acceptance Project’s work provides critical information to help parents & caregivers learn to support their LGBTQ children & to help youth & families find access to urgently needed resources. Their research has shown that when adults learn & demonstrate specific supportive behaviors in the home & community, LGBTQ youth not only feel more connected, but their health outcomes, including suicide risk, can be improved. A critical component of FAP’s work is providing evidence-based guidance to decrease family rejection & increase acceptance in ways that are culturally & linguistically relevant.” Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project concluded, “Although awareness has increased significantly of the risks that LGBTQ youth experience, there is still widespread lack of understanding of the essential role of family support in protecting against mental health risks & increasing well-being for LGBTQ youth. Our social media & online resources will help educate parents & caregivers on the compelling impact of family rejecting & accepting behaviors on their child’s risk for suicide, drug use & other serious health risks. Simple changes in how families respond to their LGBTQ children can make a powerful difference in preventing risk & building healthy futures. As families gather for the holidays this year, we are releasing this new resource to help decrease isolation & increase support for both LGBTQ youth & their families.” (Sam Kirk Graphic) For More Info…