Helping your LGBTQ child stay healthy
6/9/2023
Dr. Jason Bombard, psychiatrist and Specialty Medical Director at Aspirus Behavioral Health
LGBTQ youth are at
increased risk for a number of health problems due to stigma, bigotry and other
factors. These problems can follow kids into adulthood.
Fortunately,
supportive parents and families can help LGBTQ kids live healthy and happy
lives. LGBTQ youth who feel valued by their parents are less likely to
experience depression, attempt suicide, use drugs and alcohol or get a sexually
transmitted disease.
“Supporting LGBTQ
children is crucial for their well-being and overall development, and this
really starts at home. Parents have a responsibility to create a safe and
non-judgmental space for their child to express themselves,” says Jason Bombard, DO, psychiatrist and Specialty Medical
Director at Aspirus Behavioral Health. “Encourage open and honest
conversations, but most importantly, remind them regularly of your love and
acceptance of who they are.”
Below are some of the
health concerns often faced by LGBTQ youth and tips for how parents can help,
sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Partnership to End Addiction, The Trevor Project and
the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
BULLYING AT SCHOOL
LGBTQ students are
much more likely to be bullied at school than are their non-LGBTQ peers.
How to help: Don't minimize the bullying.
Instead, stand up for your child. Report the problem to the school's
administrators. Let them know you won't tolerate your child being bullied and
ask them to come up with a plan to stop it.
MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
LGBTQ youth are more
likely to report having felt sad or hopeless, and more
than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
How to help: Let your child know they can talk
to you about anything. Be on the lookout for red flags, such as:
- Excessive sleeping,
difficulty sleeping and other sleep disorders
- Loss of self-esteem
- Loss of interest in
favorite pastimes
- Sudden decline in
academic performance
- Weight loss and loss
of appetite
- Personality shifts and
changes
If you spot any of
these signs, ask your child's provider to refer you to a behavioral health
specialist.
SEXUAL ABUSE
LGBTQ youth are more
likely than their non-LGBTQ peers to experience sexual assault.
How to help: Start talking to your kids at a
young age about safe touching, and let them know it's OK to say "no."
Let them know they can always talk to you, especially if it's something they've
been told to keep secret. As your child gets older, have open, honest
conversations about sex. Talk with them about how to avoid risky behavior and
unsafe situations.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
LGBTQ youth are more
likely than their non-LGBTQ peers to use alcohol and other drugs—including
prescription opioids.
How to help: Research suggests that this risk
decreases in kids whose parents accept their LGBTQ identity. Family support of
a child's LGBTQ identity also helps the child better withstand other sources of
stress, such as school bullying.
Ways you can offer
support include inviting your child's LGBTQ friends to join family activities
and taking your child to LGBTQ events. You can also help your child find a
local LGBTQ youth group, preferably one that takes a strong stance against
substance abuse.
“Remember that
supporting your LGBTQ child is an ongoing process. Continuously educate
yourself, adapt to their needs, and ensure that your love and support are
unwavering,” says Dr. Bombard.
Back to all Posts