Adolescents’ mental health has become a serious concern, particularly among sexual and gender minority youth, with anxiety, depression, and suicide on the rise. Since schools are among the most pervasive influences on the minds of young people, the environment can either promote or hinder the mental health of LGBTQ students.
As a study on the importance of a supportive school climate on the mental health of sexual and gender minority students states, schools act like "breeding grounds for mental health issues.” Of all the adolescents in 2019 alone, 2.7 million succumbed to depression, while 73.8% of those also had diagnoses of anxiety disorders. For LGBTQ+ groups, the outlook is considerably less optimistic, with higher rates of experiencing mental health problems compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers.
Bullying is the leading contributor to this crisis. LGBTQ students are much more likely than other students to be bullied, putting them at higher risk for major depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation. LGBTQ+ youth often conceal their identity out of fear contributing to their anxiety. So, when a peer is victimized based on sexual or gender identity, the effect is much stronger.
Another factor that’s often overlooked involves the teachers and faculty themselves. The study suggests a link between suicide risks among LGBTQ+ students and schools that lack support from adults. However, teachers’ homophobic and transphobic acts aren’t always overt. It can even be refusing to use a student's chosen name or pronouns. Research on chosen name use and symptoms of depression found that calling a transgender student by their preferred name reduced suicidal ideation by 29% and suicidal behavior by 56%. Yet, many teachers don’t realize the impact of this simple first step.
Using the appropriate language isn't about being "politically correct"; it's life and death for many students. Faculty should know that with every word and deed, the choice is to affirm a student's identity or to be part of the reason why LGBTQ+ adolescents struggle with mental health every day.
Perhaps the best solution would be in-school training on issues pertinent to the LGBTQ+ community, like creating safe spaces, understanding pronoun usage, and promoting inclusivity in curriculum and school policies. Moreover, these training sessions should educate students and staff on creating a more accepting and supportive environment for all students.
If implemented, LGBTQ+ sensitivity training and policies with spelled-out accountability for staff would improve mental health outcomes among these students and make the entire school environment more inclusive.
Apart from social relations, school services like counseling should be offered to adolescents who are dealing with mental health issues. Yet too many counselors aren’t educated enough to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, leaving the most vulnerable students without professional advice, as evidenced in a study on counselor competence with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients in different settings.
Ultimately, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students in school is more than a matter of policy; it's one of morality. Schools should commit themselves to inclusivity and respect so that students can build proper ground wherein they can thrive both academically and emotionally. The schools can work at changing the tide by addressing those systemic issues that feed into poor mental health. So, schools should step up and help students feel valued, respected, and safe being themselves.
Go deeper: Promoting mental health in schools with HIPAA compliant emails
FAQs
What types of information are protected under HIPAA?
HIPAA protects all individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by covered entities or their business associates, including mental health records.
How does HIPAA relate to schools?
Schools must comply with HIPAA regulations when handling student health information, like mental health records.
How do HIPAA compliant emails protect students’ privacy?
HIPAA compliant emails use encryption and other security measures, like two-factor authentication, to protect sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access student health records.
Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email for Mental Health Professionals
