Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth
SAMHSA recently released a new, free resource, Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth which provides a comprehensive research overview of effective and ineffective therapeutic practices related to youth of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity.
This report is written for multiple audiences, including:
- Behavioral health providers
- Pediatric & primary care providers
- Educators & school professionals
- Policymakers
- Researchers
- Families, parents & caregivers
- Community leaders
SAMHSA’s new report:
- Provides an updated evidence-based roadmap for supporting and affirming LGBTQI+ youth.
- Comprehensively reviews key scientific studies, guidelines from major medical and other professional associations, and implications for clinical care.
- Offers guidance and highlights resources for health care providers, educators, families, community leaders, and others — to reduce behavioral health inequities facing LGBTQI+ youth and their families.
- Explores policy levers and future research areas that can improve the behavioral health of LGBTQI+ youth.
Significant research over the past several years lays to rest any questions about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI, pronounced “SO-gee”) change efforts — commonly known as “conversion therapy.” It is harmful, ineffective, inappropriate, and should never be provided to youth.
Furthermore, new research supports gender-affirming care for youth.
Learn more by watching webinar recordings
In 2022, SAMHSA explored the themes of this report at several educational events, including presentations at the Midwest LGBTQ+ Health Symposium, and the GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health:
- A webinar for clinicians, hosted by the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity: Evidence & Interventions to Support & Affirm LGBTQ+ Children & Adolescents
- A webinar for families and communities, hosted by the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center: Supporting America’s LGBTQ+ Youth: Approaches, Strategies and Opportunities
Link to Report: https://store.samhsa.gov/product/moving-beyond-change-efforts/pep22-03-12-001