peers have a reduced risk of attempting suicide.
“In other words, acceptance goes a long way,” Luk adds.
Try supporting the mental health of an LGBTQ member through the following:
- Question your biases: It’s okay to have questions and make mistakes, but combat them by educating yourself about the LGBTQ community and finding better ways to support your loved one.
- Respect their identity: Respect how your loved one chooses to self-identify by accepting their gender pronouns, how they dress and the gender of their partners.
- DON’T OUT THEM: This step is very important. If your loved one is not openly out about their sexual orientation, it may be because they aren’t ready yet or for privacy reasons. Do not broadcast this information unless they have given you permission to do so.
- Have their back: You can be an ally by not only supporting your loved one, but by allocating on their behalf. Call out anti-LGBTQ words and actions and encourage others to get educated.
And while parents’ support is critical, so is that from the other people in kids’ lives, Mustanski shares. Support from friends and romantic partners can buoy the mental health of LGBTQ young people.
As for families, Murray points to resources like PFLAG, a national nonprofit that offers parents education on how to support their LGBTQ children.
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There are also several LGBTQ-friendly therapists, support groups and mentors available as well as LGBTQ-friendly mental health hotlines.
Acceptance plays a major part in the youth feeling comfortable with being their true selves. So if you have a loved one that is part of the LGBTQ community, let them know that you love and support them.