Project Summary:
LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin face disproportionately poor mental health outcomes, including high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality compared to their heterosexual peers. In the past year, 79% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth in Wisconsin reported anxiety, and 63% reported depressive symptoms. Furthermore, 56% of transgender and gender nonbinary youth in Wisconsin reported seriously considering suicide.
Rural LGBTQ+ youth face additional challenges, including culturally and politically marginalizing schools and communities, and a lack of social support. To address these significant disparities, we will expand our +YOU program to five rural areas across the state. +YOU uses evidence-based practices to provide support to parents, guardians, family, and other loved ones of LGBTQ+ youth to help them better support the social and mental health needs of their young people.
The program uses an eight-session closed-group model to provide a safe space for individuals to discuss challenges, receive support, and learn how to support the young people in their lives. In addition to expanding the program, we will implement a train-the-trainer model to ensure sustainability. At least one individual in each satellite location will be trained to continue offering +YOU with the ongoing support of Courage MKE. As part of this work, we will evaluate the +YOU program expansion for continuous program improvement and accountability.