CREATING A SAFE SPACE ENVIRONMENT.

• Author: Yacka-Bible, Sue
• Position: PSYCHOLOGY

THE REPORT, "Supporting Safe and Healthy Schools for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Students," has been released by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in partnership with the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW), American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), providing insight into school-based mental health professionals' work to support LGBTQ youth, as well as barriers they face to supporting those youth.

Data from the report was drawn from a national online survey that included school counselors, psychologists, and social workers--in U.S. schools (grades five through 12). Respondents came from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

"This report is of crucial importance, as it adds to our understanding of key school personnel who play a critical day-to-day role in the academic and emotional well-being of our nation's youth, including LGBTQ youth," says Joseph Kosciw, chief strategy and research officer at GLSEN. "Further, it identifies factors that need improvement for school mental health providers to be better able to work with LGBTQ students, such as pre-service education and professional development."

The report indicates that the majority of professionals surveyed hold positive attitudes regarding LGBTQ students and feel they have an important role to play in supporting these individuals. Specifically, 87% believe that it is their responsibility to provide supportive counseling to LGBTQ students and 80% believe that they should not avoid discussion of students' sexual orientation and gender identity.

Further, the report documents that many school mental health professionals work to create safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ students as a part of their individual practice. For instance, nearly three-fourths report meeting with LGBTQ students over the past year, and nearly half report having a Safe Space sticker or other visual sign of support for LGBTQ students in locations where they meet with them.

"This report reveals a promising picture with regard to how school-based mental health providers work to support LGBTQ students," notes Jill Cook, assistant director of ASCA. 'The fact that they are largely supportive of LGBTQ students, and are actively working to create welcoming spaces for these students, goes a long way toward helping to create safe and inclusive schools for all students in our nation."

Although school...