Child Mind Institute Provides Resources on How to Support LGBTQ+ Children’s Mental Health
As part of June’s Pride Month, the Child Mind Institute has released a list of resources on how to support LBGTQ+ children’s mental health.
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One of the most important ways to support LGBTQ+ children is being aware of their mental health and emotional well-being, the Child Mind Institute wrote. Much like other teenagers, LGBTQ+ youths are vulnerable to anxiety and depression, especially if they are under pressure or do not feel accepted.
The Child Mind Institute’s resources include information on how to protect the mental health of LGBTQ+ children as well as signs of teen-onset mood disorders of which parents should be aware.
Also included among the resources are steps that caregivers should take if they are concerned about an LGBTQ+ youth and advice on how parents can support their children who are coming out or struggling with confusion about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The resources also explore gender dysphoria, an extreme emotional distress that people can experience when their assigned sex and gender identity don’t match up. Lastly, the Child Mind Institute provides some tips for staying in communication with children in the tween and teenage years that can help them feel safer talking about challenging topics, such as sex and gender.
The resources include: