The Institute for Innovation & Implementation, together with the Family Acceptance Project has launched a new national online resource that provides access to accurate information and affirmative services to increase family and community support for LGBTQ children and youth, to help decrease mental health risks and to promote well-being.
Visit New Online Resource at: https://lgbtqfamilyacceptance.org/
This new website - the first targeted resource for LGBTQ youth and families - includes a national searchable map of community support services that affirm LGBTQ young people and help to increase family support, along with multilingual and multicultural evidence-based resources to increase family support for LGBTQ children and youth. Resources accessible through the new online site include: support services for LGBTQ youth; peer support for parents, caregivers, and families; LGBTQ community centers; LGBTQ health clinics; gender clinics; school supports; affirming faith-based organizations and resources; and a national list of culture-based resources for ethnically and racially diverse LGBTQ communities.
Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project, noted: "Although awareness has increased significantly of the risks that LGBTQ youth experience, there is still widespread lack of understanding of the essential role of family support in protecting against mental health risks and increasing well-being for LGBTQ youth. Our social medial and online resources will help educate parents and caregivers on the compelling impact of family rejecting and accepting behaviors on their child's risk for suicide, drug use, and other serious health risks. Simple changes in how families respond to their LGBTQ children can make a powerful difference in preventing risk and building healthy futures. As families gather for the holidays this year, we are releasing this new resource to help decrease isolation and increase support for both LGBTQ youth and their families."