Each Member Of Your Cohort Group Will Post Your Suggestion

Each Member Of Your Cohort Group Will Post Your Suggestion For A Popul

Each member of your cohort group will post your suggestion for a population which might benefit from a counseling group. You will review professional journals on the mental health concerns (risk factors) facing your chosen population. Based on your readings, you will post a Rationale that defines the population and the mental health concerns (risk factors). Include the goal of the group and at least one measurable objective that advances the group toward its goal. Support your rationale with at least one APA 7th edition reference from a current journal. The submission should be approximately one page in length. The topic is LGBT youth homelessness.

Paper For Above instruction

Homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth is a significant mental health concern that warrants targeted intervention through counseling groups. This population faces unique stressors and risk factors that increase their vulnerability to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Understanding the specific challenges confronting LGBT homeless youth is essential for designing effective therapeutic interventions.

LGBT youth homelessness has been recognized as a crisis that stems from a combination of familial rejection, discrimination, and societal stigmatization. Many LGBT youth are expelled from their homes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, leading to a lack of stable housing and support systems (Donahue et al., 2016). The instability of homelessness exacerbates feelings of isolation and hopelessness, often resulting in severe mental health problems. Research indicates that LGBT homeless youth are at a higher risk of experiencing depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance use compared to their heterosexual counterparts (Tyler & Guenther, 2018). These risk factors are compounded by societal discrimination and lack of access to appropriate mental health services tailored to their needs.

The primary goal of a counseling group for LGBT homeless youth is to provide a safe, supportive environment where participants can explore their identity, develop resilience, and learn coping strategies to manage their mental health challenges. A specific measurable objective of this group is to decrease reported levels of depressive symptoms by 25% over a three-month period, as measured by standardized depression scales such as the PHQ-9 (Kroenke et al., 2001). This objective aims to foster a sense of hope and empowerment among participants while addressing their immediate mental health needs.

Research supports the effectiveness of peer-led and professionally facilitated counseling groups in reducing mental health symptoms in homeless youth populations, particularly when addressing issues related to identity, stigma, and social support (Ehrlich et al., 2020). Implementing such groups ensures targeted support that can mitigate the adverse mental health effects associated with homelessness and societal marginalization among LGBT youth.

References

  • Donahue, B. S., Taylor, L., & Cheng, T. (2016). Understanding family rejection and mental health among LGBT youth experiencing homelessness. Journal of Adolescence, 53, 27-34.
  • Ehrlich, C., et al. (2020). Effectiveness of peer-led mental health interventions among homeless youth: A systematic review. Youth & Society, 52(5), 732–755.
  • Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606-613.
  • Tyler, K. A., & Guenther, R. (2018). Mental health disparities among LGBT homeless youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(6), 704-710.

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