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Mental-health professional urges lawmakers to consider LGBT youth needs and school supports in interim work
Summary
A mental-health clinician and parent urged lawmakers to consider mental-health impacts on LGBT youth, saying stigma and exclusion contribute to higher rates of suicidal ideation and that schools can be important safe spaces.
Emily Stanton, speaking as a mental-health professional and parent, asked the Joint Education Committee on March 5 to consider the intersection of mental health and legislation affecting LGBT youth.
Stanton said suicide and mental-health struggles remain prevalent among LGBT youth and that these outcomes stem largely from societal reactions — stigma, bullying and marginalization — rather than being caused by identity itself. She urged the committee to reduce marginalization in schools and to preserve school environments as safe places where students can access support.
Stanton offered to provide further, nonjudgmental conversations with committee members and asked lawmakers to “hold these kids in your hearts” as they consider interim topics. Committee members suggested mental health in schools and social-media impacts be combined in interim study planning; Representative Kelly noted the mental-health interim topic listed on the committee’s packet as an appropriate fit.
Ending: The committee acknowledged the testimony and indicated mental health in education and related social-media concerns will remain on the committee’s list of potential interim items to pursue.
