How You Can Help Queer and Female Youth (YRBS Report part 4)
The 2021 YRBS summary report includes a lot of concerning information that highlights the ways we aren’t adequately meeting the needs of queer youth and adolescent girls. I reviewed some of the key findings in my three previous posts:
Part 2: Queer Youth are Struggling
Overall, almost all indicators of mental health worsened for all groups between 2011 and 2021. Additionally, queer and female students are struggling more than their peers. They reported more sexual violence and bullying, more mental health challenges, and less connection to school.
Risk Factors for Queer and Female Youth. LGBQ+, female, and students with any same-sex sexual contact were more likely than their peers to experience bullying, sexual violence, and mental health challenges, but were least likely to feel connected to someone at school. Infographic design copyright Seven Two Consulting. Reference: CDC. (2023). Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary and Trends Report: 2011-2021. Atlanta, GA: CDC.
I expect the final YRBS report to provide much more information - answers to more questions, advanced statistical analysis of the data, and potentially some generalized recommendations. Researchers and academics will be using the dataset to deep dive into specific questions for years to come.
As for today - whether you are a parent, work at a school, or are a concerned community member, you can take action to create safe and affirming spaces where queer youth and teen girls can feel connected. These actions build off of suggestions I made in previous posts about how school personnel can increase queer youth’s safety at school and reduce overall bullying and sexual violence.
Parents
Talk with your child about their experiences with school, friends, and social media. Ask them open-ended questions, especially if you are concerned about something. Listen to what they tell you.
Have open and honest conversations about mental health with your child without minimizing their feelings or experiences. Acknowledge the unique challenges they face today. Get them help if feelings of depression or anxiety seem to be negatively impacting their daily life.
Let your child know that nothing is too big or bad for you to address together. Remind them that everyone makes poor decisions, and keeping those decisions secret usually makes the problem worse.
Encourage your child to make connections outside of the family. Help them find activities or organizations that they enjoy. Show an active and genuine interest in what they are doing.
School Personnel
Create strong and proactive bullying, harassment, and violence prevention policies. Specifically prohibit bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Make it easy for students to report bullying, harassment, and sexual assault at any time.
Take immediate action against bullying and other types of violence. Ensure the interventions are trauma-informed and prioritize the safety needs of impacted students.
Implement comprehensive, inclusive, and age appropriate violence prevention programs at all grade levels. This includes providing accurate information on reproductive health, sexuality, and gender identity.
Find out more about students’ experiences around safety and connection at school. Pay special attention to students who often seem isolated or ignored. Work with students to address the things that make them feel unsafe and create more opportunities for meaningful connection.
Everyone
Use the names and pronouns that people ask you to. If you aren’t sure, ask. If someone changes their name or pronouns, use the new ones. If you accidentally use the wrong ones, apologize and try to do better next time.
Advocate for policies and legislation that will help LGBTQ+ people and women. Speak out against policies and legislation that will harm them.
Get involved with youth serving organizations in your community so that youth can have safe and affirming spaces to find connection outside of school and home.
