Colombia has endured six decades of civil unrest, population displacement, and violence. We examined the relationships of contextual conditions, displacement, and HIV among gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in Bogotá, Colombia. Nineteen key informants provided information about internal displacement of sexual minorities
Today’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth come out at younger ages, and public support for LGBT issues has dramatically increased, so why do LGBT youth continue to be at high risk for compromised mental health? We provide an overview of the contemporary context for LGBT youth, followed by a review of current science on LGBT youth mental health. Research in the past decade has identified risk and protective factors for mental health, which point to promising directions for prevention, intervention, and treatment. Legal and policy successes have set the stage for advances in programs and practices that may foster LGBT youth mental health. Implications for clinical care are discussed, and important areas for new research and practice are identified.
Previous studies demonstrated the utility of the minority stress model in understanding health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Since most research has considered large metropolitan areas, predominantly in coastal regions of the United States, this research focuses on a midwestern state, Nebraska. This study sought to assess the relationships between depressive symptoms experienced by participants (N = 770) and minority stress variables, including experiences with violence, perceptions of discrimination, and respondents’ degree of self-acceptance of their LGBT identity. Regression analysis revealed that after controlling for demographic variables, self-acceptance, and perceived discrimination were correlated with depressive symptoms. These findings have implications for policy makers, public health planners, and health care providers. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health 2014.
In a study that examines possible root causes of mental disorders in LGB people, Cochran and psychologist Vickie M. Mays, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, explored whether ongoing discrimination fuels anxiety, depression and other stress-related mental health problems among LGB people. The authors found strong evidence of a relationship between the two (Old article but still important).
In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress—explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social environment that causes mental health problems. In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress—explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social environment that causes mental health problems.
Conclusion study: LGB people are at higher risk of mental disorder, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and deliberate self harm than heterosexual people.
Today’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth come out at younger ages, and public support for LGBT issues has dramatically increased, so why do LGBT youth continue to be at high risk for compromised mental health? We provide an overview of the contemporary context for LGBT youth, followed by a review of current science on LGBT youth mental health. Research in the past decade has identified risk and protective factors for mental health, which point to promising directions for prevention, intervention, and treatment. Legal and policy successes have set the stage for advances in programs and practices that may foster LGBT youth mental health.
Conclusion study: In the UK, LGB adults have higher prevalence of poor mental health and low wellbeing when compared to heterosexuals, particularly younger and older LGB adults. Sexual orientation identity should be measured routinely in all health studies and in administrative data in the UK in order to influence national and local policy development and service delivery. These results reiterate the need for local government, NHS providers and public health policy makers to consider how to address inequalities in mental health among these minority groups.
If you live with a mental health condition and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ), it’s important to prioritize your mental health. Not all members of the LGBTQ community will have the same experiences. However, discrimination, prejudice, denial of civil and human rights, harassment and family rejection are still tragically common for people with these identities.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the risk of a mental health condition, like depression, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is almost three times as high for youth and adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) – or those with a sexuality that doesn’t apply to any existing category. With high rates of suicide and mental health conditions, it’s vitally important that the LGBT community is understood and supported. We analyzed over 160,000 records from the CDC’s annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and spoke personally with members of the LGBT community to get an in-depth sense of the struggles they face and how their experiences in society have come to bear on their mental health. Read on to find out how LGBT people are navigating the difficult issues of mental health, addiction, and more.
The purpose of the Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (hereafter Guidelines) is to assist psychologists in the provision of culturally competent, developmentally appropriate, and trans-affirmative psychological practice with TGNC people.
Also available in Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Sexual minority persons are a diverse population inclusive of lesbian, gay, bi+ (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid), and asexual sexual orientations. The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons provide psychologists with: (1) a frame of reference for affirmative psychological practice (e.g., intervention, testing, assessment, diagnosis, education, research, etc.) with sexual minority clients across the lifespan, and (2) knowledge and referenced scholarship in the areas of affirmative intervention, assessment, identity, relationships, diversity, education, training, advocacy, and research. These guidelines also recognize that some sexual minority persons possess diverse gender identities and expressions
It is important opportunity to address the serious but often-ignored issue of gender-based violence (GBV) against transgender persons. The status of the transgender population has important implications for the progress toward gender equality and other human rights.
On 25 June 2010 thousands of people – among them lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) men and women, members of their families, activists and other supporters marched through the centre of Istanbul in the greatest show of solidarity for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people ever seen in Turkey to date. The show of support in 2010 and a similar event planned for 2011 take place against the background of continuing violence and systematic harassment and discrimination by the state authorities against members of the LGBT community in Turkey.
The UN human rights treaty bodies, whose role it is to monitor compliance by States parties with their obligations under international human rights treaties, have consistently held that States have an obligation under existing treaty provisions to protect people from violence and discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation.
The present report is submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to its resolution 17/19, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for uman rights to commission a study documenting discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, and how international human rights law can be used to end violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, full report.
The High Commissioner’s study had documented disturbing abuses in all regions – including widespread bias in workplaces, schools and hospitals, imprisonment, torture, physical assaults and killings. It was called upon the Human Rights Council to respond effectively and on States to tackle homophobic violence, decriminalize consensual same-sex relationships, ban discrimination, and educate the public. Regular reporting was also needed to verify that violations are genuinely being addressed.
In November of 2006 a group of international human rights law experts met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to draft the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Yogyakarta Principles).’ In twenty-nine principles, the document purports to “reflect the existing state of international human rights law in relation to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.’
Learn more about the human rights challenges facing lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people everywhere and the actions that can be taken to tackle violence and discrimination and protect the rights of LGBT people everywhere. These United Nations factsheets break down the problems and the solutions.
The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is working towards a world that reflects equity with universal respect for human dignity, pledging to leave no one behind. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals face high rates of physical and mental health issues and reduced access to medical and social services. In order to combat the dramatic health disparities faced by LGBTQI populations, we must first understand the key concepts surrounding the intersection of health with gender and sexual diversity. The attached FAQ on sexual diversity and health defines terms, highlights key issues and underscores the UN’s commitment to gender identity and sexual diversity.
The Yogyakarta Principles are a set of principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Principles affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply. They promise a different future where all people born free and equal in dignity and rights can fulfil that precious birthright.
Expressing grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Conducting a study, documenting discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, in all regions of the world, and how international human rights law can be used to end violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status, such as age, disability, health status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
This study analyses data from 10 countries and sheds new light on the prevalence of violence against women in countries where few data were previously available. It also uncovers the forms and patterns of this violence across different countries and cultures, documenting the consequences of violence for women’s health. No specific focus on GBV in the context of conflict and war.
Sexual violence encompasses acts that range from verbal harassment to forced penetration, and an array of types of coercion, from social pressure and intimidation to physical force.
Sexual violence encompasses acts that range from verbal harassment to forced penetration, and an array of types of coercion, from social pressure and intimidation to physical force.
General overview on violence against women, definitions, terms, and facts.
Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately.
Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality, and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Both women and men experience gender-based violence but the majority of victims are women and girls.
Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) Бюлетень жовтень 2022 р
У цьому бюлетені ми дамо вам короткий підсумок того, що ми зробили до цього часу.
Ознайомитися можна тут.
The Mental health and gender-based violence – Helping survivors of sexual violence in conflict – a training manual – suggests approaches and techniques that address the psychological needs of GBV survivors, which helpers could use while assisting them. It focuses especially on the understanding of how trauma affects the lives of survivors. However, the manual is not a treatment manual, but a training manual for helpers working in crisis situations with little or no access to specialized healthcare within psychological and/or psychiatric field. This report review the work that has been done in developing, sharing content and conducting trainings in the years from 2012-2017.
In this document, you can find several mental health and psychosocial resources in English, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovakian and Ukrainian (all language versions are accessible through links on the PDF).
Main document available in English and in Ukrainian.
Policies regarding family reunification have become increasingly strict over the last years, especially after the influx of asylum applications that all Scandinavian countries received in the summer and autumn of 2015. Shortly after, the number of asylum applications rapidly decreased, while the number of family reunification applications have continued to increase in recent years. The report, commissioned by UNHCR, is a comparative legal study of the legal framework, policies and practice pertaining to the family reunification procedure in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
This latest report in our Stop the War on Children series looks in detail at one of the grave violations: children at risk of recruitment and use by armed forces or armed groups. There has been a rise in the number of verified incidents of children recruited and used by armed forces and groups, and the number of groups recruiting children has also increased. In three countries – Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen – the vast majority of children in conflict zones are deemed at risk of recruitment. This report and its key findings illustrate the war on children.
The exercises in this guide are for all humanitarian staff, volunteers and for recipients of mental health and psychosocial support services. If practised and used regularly, this catalogue of tried and practised tools can regulate stress, calm when distressed, promote sleep, and strengthen inner resilience.
The well-being guide: reduce stress, recharge and build inner resilience is for individual self-care, and for peers and teams who work together. Each section can be tested or incorporated within regular meetings with a focus on caring for the carers. Humanitarians and people working in helping professions need to take care of themselves in order not to burn out and to be effective in their work. Remember it is self-empowering to focus on what you can control. You can take control of caring for yourself.
MHHRI har i samarbeid med fagpersoner innenfor psykisk helsevern utviklet denne håndboken beregnet for hjelpere om kultursensitiv psykososial hjelp til gutter og menn som oppholder seg i Norge som asylsøkere, flyktninger og andre sårbare grupper, og som har overlevd seksuell vold i forbindelse med krig og flukt. Mange av disse faller utenfor det etablerte helsevesenet der det er naturlig å få hjelp for denne problematikken. Det finnes i dag ingen spesialisert form for hjelp eller tiltak beregnet på denne gruppen, og det er også mangel på kunnskap om hjelpebehovet, noe som innebærer begrenset tilgang på tiltak også innenfor det ordinære hjelpeapparatet. Dette er situasjonen i Norge i dag til tross for at omfanget av slike overgrepserfaringer er stort og konsekvensene for den psykiske helsen er alvorlige.
LAST NED HÅNDBOKEN
I samarbeid med fagpersoner innenfor psykisk helsevern utviklet denne håndboken beregnet for hjelpere om kultursensitiv psykososial hjelp til gutter og menn som oppholder seg i Norge som asylsøkere, flyktninger og andre sårbare grupper, og som har overlevd seksuell vold i forbindelse med krig og flukt. Mange av disse faller utenfor det etablerte helsevesenet der det er naturlig å få hjelp for denne problematikken. Det finnes i dag ingen spesialisert form for hjelp eller tiltak beregnet på denne gruppen, og det er også mangel på kunnskap om hjelpebehovet, noe som innebærer begrenset tilgang på tiltak også innenfor det ordinære hjelpeapparatet. Dette er situasjonen i Norge i dag til tross for at omfanget av slike overgrepserfaringer er stort og konsekvensene for den psykiske helsen er alvorlige.
Addressing the mental health issues and cultural features of
resilience and recovery among Syrian refugee population is
a key challenge and a great necessity for mental health care
service providers in demographically changing context. Given
that the mental distress is framed in terms of disruption in
social relationships or in the spiritual realm in most of the
Middle Eastern refugees, these individuals usually prefer to seek
support of friends or family or implement religious practices
such as praying, in order to promote their adaptation in the face
of adversity. Culture influences not only one’s understanding
of mental distress and strategies to adapt such distressing
experiences, but also shapes attitudes towards and compliance
to treatment. […] While working with refugee
patients, it has been shown to be crucial to remain open to
multiple explanatory models including biomedical, psychological,
religious and traditional ones to enhance communication with
the refugee patients. This may refer to the fact that while
clinicians provide psychological treatment, the patients may
maintain their beliefs regarding what they believe/practice is also
effective for their treatment.
Resilience and mental health 2469-6676.100137
Understanding the diverse experiences of adolescent girls, the risks of GBV they face,
and barriers to getting assistance while on the move. By ensuring effective communication with
adolescent girls on the move. Working with adolescent girls to reduce the
GBV risks they face while on the move. Adapting quality care and support for GBV
survivors to adolescent girls in all their diversity and respond to the risks and barriers
to assistance they face while on the move. Understanding and using existing resources
(tools, guidance and training materials) to support these aims.
Human rights advocates play a critical role in promoting respect for human rights worldwide, and engage in a broad range of strategies, including documentation of rights violations, monitoring, press work and report-writing, advocacy, and litigation. However, little is known about the impact of human rights work on the mental health of human rights advocates.
What risks advocates face and how they might be mitigated? The mental health and well-being of advocates has often been neglected by human rights organizations, funders, and advocates themselves. Recently, however, activists and mental health professionals have begun giving the issue more attention, exploring what risks advocates face and how they might be mitigated. Human rights organizations increasingly want to bolster the resilience and creativity of their staff and constituents. Defenders increasingly see their own well-being as an imperative for sustainable movements.
Human rights defenders at risk often find it difficult to talk about their mental and emotional wellbeing, even when they are concerned about it. Cultures of human rights practice tend to emphasise self-sacrifice, heroism, and martyrdom. These norms inhibit defenders from expressing their anxieties and seeking help. How can we engage in discussions about wellbeing in human rights practice? How can we strengthen personal and collective strategies for wellbeing amongst defenders at risk?
This study explores the formulation of a new concept: vicarious resilience. It addresses the question of how psychotherapists who work with survivors of political violence or kidnapping are affected by their clients’stories of resilience. It focuses on the psychotherapists’ interpretations of their clients’ stories, and how they make sense of the impact that these stories have had on their lives. In semistructured interviews, 12 psychotherapists who work with victims of political violence and kidnapping were interviewed about their perceptions of their clients’ overcoming of adversity. A phenomenological analysis of the transcripts was used to describe the themes that speak about the effects of witnessing how clients cope constructively with adversity. These themes are discussed to advance the concept of vicarious resilience and how it can contribute to sustaining and empowering trauma therapists.
“Når gutter og menn ikke kommer med i statistikken over overlevere etter seksuell vold på flukt og i krigs-og konfliktsituasjoner, begås et alvorlig brudd på menneskerettighetene.” Litt over en måned etter Norge tiltrådte som medlem i FNs sikkerhetsråd i januar i år, fremhevet den norske FN ambassadøren Mona Juul at gutter og menn og personer med annen seksuell orientering eller kjønnsidentitet er spesielt sårbare for seksuell vold i krig og konflikt. Dette budskapet kommer ikke uten grunn, og bunner i mange års neglisjering av en form for vold begått mot gutter og menn som man i dag i mye større grad enn tidligere har skjønt omfanget av.
Threats against feminists, LGBTQI+ people and black women in their diversity are becoming increasingly evident. This violence exposes civil society´s lack of preparedness to handle the considerable risks to human rights work, in the current political scenario. Therefore, it has become very important to act quickly, to guarantee the day to day safety of women defenders, but also to support sustainability and protection in the long term. The analysis presented in this article was produced based on the testimonials of nine women who are feminists and human rights defenders. This article is an appeal for the need to deepen reflection on developing protection mechanisms to respond to the way in which gender and race inequality operate in preventing women from claiming their human rights, from living free of violence and participating fully in democratic processes.
We’ve long passed the point of writing off signs of climate change as simply another phase in the normal cycle of global warming and cooling. Human actions have altered Earth’s climate, and the impact of this is becoming increasingly visible. Most people realize climate change can affect physical health through pollution, the spread of disease, and food scarcity. Mental health professionals also point to one serious mental health consequence: eco-anxiety. Eco-anxiety refers to persistent worries about the future of Earth and the life it shelters.
Facing gender-based violence in defense of land, natural resources and human rights. Natural resources and ecosystem services directly support millions of people’s livelihoods, providing food and water, being part of cultural and communal identities and supporting rights to life. However, increased global demand for minerals, timber, palm oil and land threaten the sustainability of these resources and the ability of people to continue surviving on, living with and conserving them. In some cases, powerful state and non-state actors exploit weak or corrupt governance structures to extract natural resources with impunity, even when doing so directly harms communities and usurps their rights to lands and resources.
Environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) are individuals and groups who ‘strive to protect and promote human rights relating to the environment.’ They come from many different backgrounds and work in different ways. Some are lawyers or journalists, but many are ‘ordinary people living in remote villages, forests or mountains, who may not even be aware that they are acting as environmental human rights defenders.’ In many cases, they are representatives of indigenous peoples and traditional communities whose lands and ways of life are threatened by large projects such as dams, logging, mining or oil extraction.
(Nairobi) – The Central African Republic government should coordinate with United Nations peacekeepers to ensure that war crimes suspect Hassan Bouba, who was released from detention in defiance of court orders and escorted home by national gendarmes on November 26, 2021, is returned to custody, Human Rights Watch said today.
Psychiatric residential youth facilities are supposed to be a safe space. But “Locked Away,” a USA TODAY Network-NC investigation, reveals children are not getting what they came for: treatment. Elizabeth wasn’t in prison, exactly. She was at Strategic Behavioral Health, a psychiatric residential institution for North Carolina kids, because she had been suicidal. The strip search was traumatic. Elizabeth is a sexual assault survivor, and she was supposed to be there for care, because she was in a fragile state.
“Today is gender day because gender and climate are profoundly intertwined. The impact of climate change [affects] women and girls disproportionately,” he said, urging to empower and support women.” Alok Sharma, the COP26 President
The agency’s Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, said the new research confirms what she already knew: children with disabilities face multiple and often compounding challenges, in simply realizing their rights. “From access to education, to being read to at home; children with disabilities are less likely to be included or heard on almost every measure. All too often, children with disabilities are simply being left behind”, Mrs. Fore said.
We learn how to help ourselves and each other if an injury or illness happens – pressure to stop bleeding, ibuprofen for a fever, going to the doctor for medication. But if someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, it can be difficult to know the right thing to do or say.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
All children face disappointment and fears, but some students deal with more serious, often traumatic, hardships at home. The term “trauma” can encompass many situations, explains Lori Sanchez, Ed.D. “In the past, when you talked about a child experiencing trauma, you assumed abuse or neglect,” she says. “Now we understand that trauma can mean a lot of things—families dealing with divorce, serious illness, a natural disaster, a military deployment, and more.” Of course, you can’t undo the painful experiences your students have gone through, but you can make a difference in their learning and their resilience by bringing innovative strategies into your classroom.
School closings, sick friends and family members, isolation at home – these and other factors can cause
anxiety and stress for children during a crisis, including a global health pandemic or conflict. This guide aims to increase children’s resilience and wellbeing through activities that can be done in the
home with a little support from parents and caregivers. The activities outlined in this book will support
stress management, emotional learning, creativity, parent/caregiver – child relationships, relaxation and
problem-solving techniques, allowing open discussions around difficulties while also increasing individual capacity to cope in fun and creative ways.
“Too many children and young people, rich and poor alike, in all four corners of the world are experiencing mental ill health as we have never seen before. This is the silent emergency of our times. It has no borders and requires urgent attention”. Henrietta H Fore
One area of child development that is most affected by the pandemic is child and youth mental health and well-being, the umbrella term used to describe psychosocial and emotional wellbeing. Although the term ‘youth mental health’ by itself does not have either a negative or positive connotation, it is used in reference to mental disorders among children and adolescents such as psychosis, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Concern for youth mental health was rising before the pandemic, with global prevalence rates of common disorders already very high. Although comprehensive data on mental health since COVID-19 struck is hard to come by, emerging data and studies suggest that the pandemic is exacerbating many common mental disorders.
You may be worried about friends and family in Afghanistan and don’t know what to do.
Pictures and news of the current situation in Afghanistan are disturbing and can be triggering or bring flashbacks.
We share your concern for the situation and your worries for the people in Afghanistan. If you yourself feel anxious or triggered by the situation and have trouble functioning, we offer this information on how to cope.
Stabilization techniques and grounding exercises are some tools to calm yourself.
It may be helpful to know a little bit about trauma and what type of mental and physical reactions that are common if you have experiencing trauma or extreme stressors, both for people experiencing trauma and for friends and relatives.
This document aims to inform decision-makers and practitioners about the main psychosocial responses of refugees to each phase of the resettlement process. It also presents the role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the process, and provides practical recommendations and resources for decision-makers and practitioners to help them in providing mental health and psychosocial support to refugees in each of these phases
As the civil war in Syria further deteriorates, accounts of systematic human rights abuses continue to emerge,
including torture, starvation, and widespread sexual violence against civilians and combatants. More than five
million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries in search of safety, yet they continue to face challenges
of poverty, discrimination, as well as sexual violence and exploitation. Some attention has been given to
women and girls who have suffered sexual violence in Syria and in displacement; however, less is known
about male survivors, including ways to meet their needs.