Building Resilient Futures: Affirming Care and Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Youth
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Episode Summary: Due to provider implicit biases, discrimination, and insufficient training, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth experience significant health disparities (e.g., increased suicidality, depression, and anxiety) compared to heterosexual cisgender peers. As more youth self-identify as sexual and gender minorities, and at younger ages, inclusive and affirming health care practices are needed to improve psychological and physical health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth. The current presentation will focus on understanding and differentiating between terminology, clinical strategies to assess and discuss gender and sexual diversity with patients, and best clinical practices when working with LGBTQ+ individuals to establish an affirming care environment. Providers versed in LGBTQ+ health competencies and affirming care approaches can reduce the perpetuation of health disparities and stigmatization experienced by LGBTQ+ youth.
What You’ll Learn: • Participants will be able to describe and differentiate between terminology relating to gender identity and sexual orientation. • Participants will be able to describe minority stress theory as it applies to mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ youth. • Participants will be able to articulate one affirming care approach clinicians can utilize to assess child and adolescent gender identity and sexual orientation safely. • Participants will be able to identify two strategies that promote awareness and respect of sexual and gender diversity and establish an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ patients and families.
Abou the Guest: Natasha L. Poulopoulos, PhD is a licensed pediatric psychologist in Miami, FL. Dr. Poulopoulos completed her PhD at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and her post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. She teaches seminars and trainings regarding gender and sexual diversity and an affirming care approach within hospitals to establish a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ patients, families, and colleagues. Her advocacy focuses on reducing mental health disparities among underrepresented youth, and her work has been featured in local and national media outlets. Dr. Poulopoulos is a member of the Society of Pediatric Psychology and has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Connect with Dr. Tash by visiting https://www.drtash.com/
Resources Mentioned:
- Mental health in LGBTQ youth. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12, 465-487.
- Human Rights Campaign. (2023). State Maps of Laws & Policies. Retrieved from https://www.hrc.org
- Gender-inclusive practices in medical and mental health settings. Retrieved from https://www.genderspectrum.org
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