LGBTQ youth
Programs create treatment Safe Zones
The goal of Imperial County Behavioral Health Youth & Young Adults is to improve the accessibility and utilization of mental health services among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, (LGBTQ) populations. The age group of 13-15 and 16-25 has a high prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems within the adolescent population. “56% of young people are gay, lesbian, or bisexual”, according to Lee-Ann Gray, PsyD. “Stigma—along with homophobia and transphobia—is likely what leads to this community’s disproportionately high rates of suicide. A 2015 review found that lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals are four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual people. In transgender communities, those rates are even higher: 43% of transgender people have attempted suicide in their lifetime. Many in the LGBTQ community experience bullying, violence, discrimination and social rejection due to their sexual or gender identity”, according to NAMI. All adolescent youth are already dealing with developmental changes which includes physical, intellectual, personality and social developmental. Issues pertaining to sexual orientation and gender add unique challenges to this population. During this time, some of the important influences in personality development are adaptation to experience and continual upgrading. The important influences are the parental guidance an individual receives
throughout their developmental stages. Providing support and encouragement without judgment is the most likely approach to encourage change.
As an organization, we continue to work towards ensuring that our clinics have a welcoming and safe environment for clients seeking services. Adolescent youth are dealing with the stigma of “coming out” to friends and family as a result, at times these youth are dealing with depression, suicide and/or a mental health condition. These are some stressors we see first-hand when adolescent youth are seeking out our services. Our goal is to get adolescent youth more engaged and to expand awareness about mental health. How we are facilitating this, is by conducting outreach at the local high schools. Thus, ensuring that youth feel empowered and encouraged to seek out services, to express their needs.
As an organization, we are providing staff with training to have a understanding and awareness of mental health among the LGBTQ population . We want staff to be gay informed not just gay friendly, especially with a community most affected by “suicide and mental health”, according to NAMI. This population encounters many obstacles, that parents and school staff are not prepared to address and coordinate necessary interventions. Adolescent youth need a sense of connectedness and purpose in order to cope emotionally and socially.
The Imperial County Behavioral Health Services’ Youth and Young Adult Services is designed to meet the needs of Imperial County youth and young adults ages 1425.
All services provided through the Youth and Young Adult (YAYA) Services are integrated, individualized, and developed to promote individual and familycentered recovery, resiliency, and wellness. The program focuses on the individual’s strengths and unique needs in an effort to promote healthy and stable living.
Services available to YAYA participants include the following:
Medication Support Services
Mental Health Services/ Therapy
Targeted Case Management
Mental Health Services / Rehabilitation Technician
Crisis Intervention
Intensive Care Coordination
Intensive Home Based Services
Therapeutic Behavioral Services