Although public acceptance has grown, LGBTQ+ students still face challenges as families and communities aren’t always supportive. These students are at a higher risk of poor mental health, becoming the targets of bullies, violence—and even committing suicide. Providing support for these students is critical to their success, mentally, academically, and beyond.
Some of the key challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth include:
- Discrimination and bullying: Being bullied by peers can lead to feeling fear, isolation, and low self-esteem, negatively impacting their mental health and risk developing mental health issues.
- Family rejection: Lack of acceptance and support from family members can be particularly damaging to LGBTQ+ youth’s mental health, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation without a safe space to be themselves.
Promoting LGBTQ+ Inclusivity and Awareness:
- Educate yourself and others: Educate yourself about LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and mental health challenges. Don’t wait until pride month in June, actively include LGBTQ+ leaders in lesson plans year-round, and the impact they have contributed to American history to help establish role models. Make sure you use neutral or positive words when describing the LGBTQ+ community to help create a safe space without discrimination.
- Create safe spaces: Encourage schools and student organizations to establish safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, such as support groups or clubs. These spaces offer a welcoming environment where young people can share their experiences and find acceptance. Teachers can also hang rainbow banners or other pride memorabilia to show they are an ally, and that their classroom is a safe space if needed.
- Stay consistent: Teachers should try not to change how they respond or act towards students or peers that reach out to them for help or come out because others in the classroom can pick up on the stigma and could lead to unwanted attention. Just because someone’s sexual orientation isn’t the same, doesn’t devalue that individual. Students will follow a teacher’s role to lessen the stigma and discrimination.
- Offer mental health resources: As a teacher, they can only help their students to an extent.Early in the school year provide resources to support the LGBTQ+ community and mental health. Letting students know there is support for them in their situation can help them and others understand more about the LGBTQ+ community and their hardships. A good initial resource is the Trevor Project – a American nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts for the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride Month offers an opportunity to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. By promoting understanding, acceptance, and support, we can create a more inclusive society that fosters the well-being and success of all young people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
What are some other ways you have used for an inclusive and aware LGBTQ+ classroom?
Resources:
https://www.klassroom.com/blogs/teacher-resources/how-create-lgbtq-inclusive-classroom
https://www.gaggle.net/blog/lgbtq-awareness-pride-month-and-student-mental-health
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