A 2015 survey found that 13% of Delaware public school students self-identified as somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum.
That’s one reason United Way of Delaware has taken on the PRIDE Council initiative – educating teachers and others about the LGBTQ youth community’s unique needs at workshops like the one hosted by Colonial school district.
The mental health needs of LGBTQ youth was just one of the several topics addressed at the Colonial School District’s 2nd annual Mental Health Matters Conference for district specialists.
United Way consultant Bob Martz emphasized to educators there the need for additional supports for these students - citing the CDC’s 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey that showed over a quarter of LGBTQ Delaware students – 29.8% - are making a plan of how they would attempt suicide.
“If you think as a teenager you may not be heterosexual, you’re different," Martz said. "And this presents a lot of concern for teenagers who are going through all sorts of bodily and emotional changes anyway. And depression and anxiety builds up, and unfortunately that leads to drugs, substance abuse, alcoholism, self mutilation and even attempted suicides.”
Another study found 29% of LGBTQ youth don’t have an adult they feel they can talk to about personal problems. Martz says that means educators can play a key role in helping prevent risky or dangerous behavior.
“Being open and using the right pronouns, being sensitive to what a kid has to say – a teenager has to say," Martz said. "Displaying a 'safe space' sticker is a great way to identify yourself as someone can come to talk to as an LGBTQ youth.”
The safe space sticker handed out Friday includes all the colors of the rainbow: a symbol Martz says LGBTQ students can identify with.
Martz also encouraged educators to get involved with Gay Straight Alliances – school-based clubs for LGBTQ students.
Jane Bowen is co-chair of United Way’s PRIDE Council, and co-led the presentation.
She says depression and suicide are the number one concerns among Delaware’s LGBTQ youth: with over 20 percent of Delaware LGBTQ youth surveyed in 2015 saying they’d attempted suicide.
She says lack of family support and stigmatization – from home, school and church communities – are all to blame.
“No matter what their gender identity is, no matter what their sexual orientation is, no matter what their race is: I think we all have to learn to be empathetic and compassionate and understanding," she said.
She added Nemours – in partnership with PFLAG – has also started holding support groups for parents of transitioning youth once a month.
