• Grade Level(s): C,D
• Skill Level: Advanced

Description

LGBTQ youth are often classified as a homogeneous group, but the diversity among and within them is more distinct than many people realize. The need for school-based counseling supports for LGBTQ youth is evident in higher rates of unhappiness, drug use, school dropout, truancy, suicide, harassment, family discord, and reduced self-referral rates. Despite the need and demand, little is available in terms of resources to use in a counseling format. This program is designed to empower school-based mental health staff to serve as advocates for LGBTQ youth, provide counseling support for students in grades 6–12, and encourage and foster resiliency in at-risk students. Participants will leave with the ability to effectively advocate for sexual minority and gender-diverse youth as well as implement an innovative counseling program within their own schools to support these students. This session is sponsored by the Convention Committee.