Mental health experts share tips for supporting LGBTQ+ students

When Nisha Patelrsquos son Aarav was five he loved playing with his action figures In a hyperreal scenario Batman would fight off the villains to rescue Iron Man After saving Iron Man the duo would go on to raise a baby superhero together At that age my son was not aware of traditional gender roles or how a family functions and I decided not to bind him with conventionsrsquo Nisha tells MiddayShe continues ldquoFor him they were just like partners taking care of an infantrdquo However Aaravs acceptance of a wider gender spectrum and his belief that samesex individuals can be a family and share responsibilities is refreshing Mental health experts credit these values to parents stressing that schools play a crucial role in fostering this acceptance and understanding of queer folksYet with a lack of inclusivity and social stigma surrounding the LGBTQ community ndash cases of violence have risen in school premises In Thane a 17yearold teen attempted to end his life 2016 by jumping off a skywalk upon being called gayIn a similar instance a 25yearold MBA graduate killed himself 2019 in his flat at Saki Vihar Road after being taunted as lsquogayrsquo With such incidents coming to light the need to instill LGBTQ sensitivity in children becomes crucial With pride month coming to an end we dialed up mental health experts who lay out guidelines to develop effective strategies fostering inclusivity for queer folks right at schoolEffective programs to foster inclusivity for LGBTQ students in schoolTeachers parents and students are the key stakeholders in school ldquoInvolving them in creating a more accepting environment for LGBTQ students can make a big differencerdquo remarks Juhi Pandey a psychologist working for Mumbaibased education venture MpowerDr Mamta Mohapatra Professor at International Management Institute New Delhi outlines that an inclusive environment can be fostered for LGBTQ students through several key policies and programs She recommends implementing and enforcing strict antidiscrimination policies to protect LGBTQ students from bullying and harassment Other measures suggested1 Integrating LGBTQ topics into the curriculum promotes understanding and acceptance2 Establishing support groups and safe spaces allows LGBTQ students to connect and receive counselling3 Providing training for staff and students on LGBTQ issues and sensitivity is crucial4 Offering genderneutral restrooms and changing facilities ensures comfort and safety5 Promoting the use of inclusive language and pronouns throughout the school environment fosters respect and belonging6 Schools can also adopt lsquoGenderNeutralrsquo programs to promote diversity An example of this is Program Rainbow Just as all the colours of the rainbow come together to form white light students can be taught that despite our different choices orientations likings and sexualities we are all part of a single human racePrograms with inclusive messages like this are essential for spreading awareness and fostering acceptance Another effective strategy is to organise workshops and informational sessions that educate parents about LGBTQ issues the importance of inclusivity and ways to support their childrenThese sessions can provide a safe space for parents to ask questions share concerns and learn from experts and LGBTQ individuals about the challenges and experiences faced by the community Open dialogues can help bridge knowledge gaps and create a supportive environment that extends beyond the classroomIn addition to educational workshops schools can engage the wider community through events and initiatives that celebrate diversity Hosting communitywide events such as Pride Month celebrations inclusive sports days and cultural festivals can bring together students parents and community members to celebrate and learn about queer identities Schools can also partner with local LGBTQ organisations to provide resources training and support for both students and families3 doable ways to make the curriculum more inclusiveTo make the curriculum more inclusive of LGBTQ issues Mohapatra shares the following strategiesIntegrate LGBTQ topics across subjectsIncorporate discussions and materials related to LGBTQ history literature and contributions across various subjects For example include LGBTQ figures in history lessons analyse LGBTQ themes in literature classes and discuss the social and scientific aspects of LGBTQ issues in social studies and science classesDevelop inclusive reading listsInclude books and resources that feature LGBTQ characters and narratives Select diverse texts that highlight different experiences and perspectives within the LGBTQ community allowing students to see themselves reflected and to understand others experiencesCreate projects and assignments on LGBTQ issuesDesign assignments and projects that encourage students to explore LGBTQ topics This can include research projects on LGBTQ history and rights creative writing assignments from diverse perspectives and presentations on current LGBTQ issues and their impact on society These activities promote awareness empathy and critical thinkingHow inclusive schools affect queer studentsBecause of the stigma and discrimination these students frequently face they are more likely to experience anxiety loneliness and thoughts of suicide When schools actively promote inclusion in the community LGBTQ students are much less likely to experience mental health problemsDr Poonam Poonia a clinical psychologist at Cloudnine Hospital shares how the mental health of queer students can benefit from schools with active inclusion policies1 Students who identify as LGBTQ and who attend such schools are more likely to form positive peer interactions and face less harassment and bullying Also their social skills and networks are improved and social isolation is decreased2 Queer students who feel accepted are more likely to take up academic challenges participate in class and take an active role in their education They can concentrate more on their academics since they are not as distracted by worries about social rejection3 When schools actively promote LGBTQ students they are more likely to grow in confidence and selfworth This positive selfview is important for their overall psychological resilience and can protect against the internalisation of negative societal attitudesTraining school staff to address inhouse discriminationEducators and school staff can be trained to effectively support LGBTQ students and address issues of stigma through comprehensive professional development programs These programs should include training sessions that educate staff on LGBTQ identities terminology and the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ students informs PooniaMohapatra suggests that roleplaying scenarios can help teachers develop empathy and understanding Training should also cover the importance of inclusive language recognising signs of distress and effective intervention strategies Collaboration with LGBTQ advocacy groups can provide valuable insights and resourcesWorkshops led by experts and LGBTQ individuals can be helpful in developing best practices for creating inclusive and supportive classroom environments Additionally educators can learn about the legal protections for LGBTQ students and the appropriate steps to take when witnessing or addressing incidents of discrimination or bullying Ongoing training ensures that staff remain informed about evolving issues and effective strategies for supportMoreover schools can implement mentorship and ally programs to foster a culture of inclusion and support Staff members can be trained as designated allies or mentors for LGBTQ students offering a safe and understanding point of contact for those seeking guidance or experiencing difficulties Regularly scheduled meetings and support groups can also be established to provide a platform for LGBTQ students to voice their concerns and receive supportIntegrating mental health support groups in schoolsMental health services offer a safe and supportive environment where students who identify as LGBTQ can freely share their thoughts and emotions without worrying about being judged Also they can assist queer children in navigating the challenges associated with coming out to family friends or teachersSchools can take the following steps1 Schools should develop clear nondiscrimination rules that specifically shield LGBTQ students from harassment and discrimination2 Educate school counselors and staff indepth about LGBTQ issues3 Create LGBTQ support groups so that students can interact with others who have gone through similar things4 Collaborate with neighborhood associations health facilities or LGBTQ advocacy groups to offer students more assistance5 Plan events and educational activities that raise awareness of LGBTQ identities across the academic yearPandey adds ldquoHaving a trained LGBTQ counsellor in schools provides a safe space for students to discuss their problems and challenges Empowering LGBTQ students through positive representation in the school curriculum and programs designed to address issues like low selfesteem selfimage and building resilience can be very effectiverdquo