Health and Wellbeing
Meeting the Mental Health needs of: Children who are LGBTQ+
Make school a place where LGBTQ+ pupils feel safe, and know how to respond when a pupil or parent comes to you for help.
- 17 minutes
- 5 modules
- 0.5 CPD hours
- Certificate
Members
14 days free, then £70 a year or £7 a month.
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What you'll learn
- Understand why LGBTQ+ young people face higher rates of poor mental health
- Challenge homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language and bullying consistently
- Create safe spaces and support groups where pupils have a voice
- Signpost pupils to specialist LGBTQ+ helplines and support services
- Give parents clear, kind advice when their child comes out
About this course
LGBTQ+ young people are far more likely than their peers to experience depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The cause is bullying, isolation and how other people react, and that's something a school can change.
Practical changes help most. You'll see how to set up safe spaces and student-led groups, and how to challenge discriminatory language calmly and consistently. A pupil who's questioning needs somewhere to talk, and you'll know how to give them that while still following safeguarding procedures if a child is at risk. You'll also know where to point young people for specialist help, from Stonewall's youth resources to LGBTQ+-aware therapists and helplines.
Parents sometimes come to school unsure what to say after their child has come out. You'll have plain, kind advice to give them, starting with three words: I love you.
- For governors and mental health leads. Primary and secondary.
5 modules
Open in order
- 4 min
Introduction
- 3 min
Mental Health challenges
- 7 min
Meeting the needs in school
- 3 min
Meeting the needs at home
- 2 min
Closing Thoughts