Abstract
For individuals who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), making the transition from adolescence to adulthood can be one of the most difficult times in their lives. Compared to their heterosexual, cisgender peers, these youth experience higher rates of depression, suicide, substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, homelessness, hate crimes, and parental abuse. As a result of chronic exposure to minority stress, they experience other health disparities as well. Fewer pursue college or post-secondary vocational education, leading to lower wage-earning potential. They have lower grade point averages (GPAs) in high school and attain lower levels of income with higher unemployment rates. This chapter focuses on assessment, treatment, and comorbid issues impacting SGM TAY.
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Resources
Resources for LGBTQ youth from the Harvey Milk School at the Hetrick Martin Institute. www.hmi.org
Gay Straight Alliance Network, provides information for youth activism. www.gsanetwork.org
Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays, support organization. www.pflag.org
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, supports school climate. www.glsen.org
Lesbian and Gay Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Association, includes extensive list of resources for adolescents, parents, and providers. www.lagcapa.org
Association for Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists, information for patients and providers. www.aglp.org
Child Welfare League of America, information for LGBT youth in foster care or juvenile justice. www.cwla.org
Gay Lesbian Medical Association, resources for patients, families, and providers. www.glma.org
World Professional Association for Transgender Health, information and advocacy resource. www.wpath.org
GLBT National Youth Talkline 1-800-246-PRIDE (7743) (serving youth through age 25).
Video and social media messages of hope for LGBT youth. www.itgetsbetter.org
Information related to bullying of LGBT youth. www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/lgbt/
LGBTQ laws and protections by state. http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/conversion_therapy
Fenway Health, health center with focus on LGBT care, research, education, and advocacy. http://fenwayhealth.org/the-fenway-institute/
The Trevor Project, trevorproject.org
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Van Deusen, T. (2021). Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM)/(LGBTQ+) Transitional-Age Youth (TAY): Proclaiming Integrity, Legitimacy, and Certainty in the 2020’s. In: Chan, V., Derenne, J. (eds) Transition-Age Youth Mental Health Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62113-1_20
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