NAMI Ask the Expert: How You Can Help LGBTQ Youth Mental Health OD035

An on-demand video and transcript of the presentation are available here [opens in new tab].

About The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They are an alliance of more than 650 local Affiliates and 49 State organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education to people with mental illness and their loved ones. Through awareness, advocacy and education, NAMI is committed to building stronger communities and a better future for everyone affected by mental illness.

Course Summary

Practice Level: Beginner

This course, based on the Ask the Expert webinar series by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), equips mental health professionals with research-based, practical strategies to foster safety, belonging, and resilience among LGBTQ youth in clinical, school, and family contexts. Drawing on current evidence and the program transcript, the training addresses minority stress processes, family engagement, and school-based supports, and highlights affirming practices associated with reduced depression and suicidality.

Clinicians will learn how to translate emerging findings—such as the benefits of gender-affirming medical and psychosocial care and the protective effects of supportive adults—into culturally responsive care plans and referral pathways (e.g., in primary care and school settings)

The course, with an intended audience of social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors, then presents a focus on evidence-informed assessment and intervention strategies that align with scope of practice across clinical, school, and community settings and emphasize cultural competence and ethical care for LGBTQ youth.

Course Format

This course contains a participant guide, practice test, and on-demand video. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

1. Define minority stress and describe its relevance to LGBTQ youth mental health in clinical, school, and family contexts.
2. Identify at least three protective factors for LGBTQ youth that are supported by current evidence.
3. Identify affirming, culturally responsive interventions for LGBTQ adolescents across common clinical, school, and family scenarios.

Course Syllabus

• Epidemiology & Disparities in LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
• Affirming Clinical Practices and Care Pathways
• Family Engagement and Caregiver Collaboration
• School & Community-Based Supports and Referrals

Current References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Suicidal ideation and behaviors among high school students—Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR Supplements, 69(Suppl 1), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6901a6[opens in new tab]

Conley, G. (2016). Boy erased: A memoir of identity, faith, and family. Riverhead Books.

Crisis Text Line. (n.d.). Crisis Text Line [Crisis service].https://www.crisistextline.org/[opens in new tab]

Horton, C. (2025). The Cass Review: Cis-supremacy in the UK’s approach to healthcare for trans children. International Journal of Transgender Health, 26(4), 1120–1144. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2024.2328249[opens in new tab]

Heiden-Rootes, K., Linsenmeyer, W., Russon, J., Levy, S., & Diamond, G. (2025). Attachment-based family therapy for LGBTQ youth in a community setting: A community-engaged, qualitative pilot study of youth and parent experiences. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 51(1), e12765. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12765[opens in new tab]

The Trevor Project. (n.d.). The Trevor Project [Organization].https://www.thetrevorproject.org/[opens in new tab]

The Trevor Project. (n.d.). TrevorSpace [Online community].https://www.trevorspace.org/[opens in new tab]

The Trevor Project. (n.d.). Crisis services [Webpage].https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/[opens in new tab]

The Trevor Project. (2021). Model school district policy on suicide prevention: Model language, commentary, and resources [Booklet].https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Model_School_Policy_Booklet.pdf[opens in new tab]

van Vliet, R., van der Ploeg, R., Kretschmer, T., Kiekens, W. J., & Baams, L. (2025). Supportive school strategies for sexually and gender diverse students: A meta-analysis of the associations with bullying-victimization experiences and feelings of school safety. Educational Research Review, 47, 100689.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2025.100689[opens in new tab]

Fisher, E. S., Cannava, A. R., Greenspan, S. B., Komer, J., & Zeanah, K. L. (2025). Empirically supported practices for LGBTQ+ students: Implications for school psychologists. Contemporary School Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-025-00573-4[opens in new tab]

Stilwell, S. M., Scott, B. A., Murphy, H., & Lee, E. (2025). Affirm my identity, save my life: A scoping review of suicide prevention efforts for LGBTQ+ youth in K–12 schools. School Mental Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-025-09797-4[opens in new tab]

United States Supreme Court. (2020). Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, 590 U.S. ___ (2020).

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119.

U.S. Department of Education. (1972). Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681–1688.

U.S. Congress. (1964). Civil Rights Act of 1964, Pub. L. No. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241 (Title VII).

Instructors

Sam Brinton

Sam Brinton is one of the world’s leading advocates for LGBTQ youth. They are the founder of the 50 Bill 50 States campaign at The Trevor Project to end the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, first in the United States and then around the globe. As a survivor of conversion therapy, Sam has spoken before the United Nations and Congress as well as testified on legislation from coast to coast to protect LGBTQ youth across the country.

They have been featured in numerous media including a recent New York Times op-ed as well as The Washington Post, Playboy Magazine, TIME Magazine, USA TODAY, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, Huffington Post, and CTV in Canada. Sam uses they, them, or theirs as their pronouns as a genderfluid person.

Nicole Errickson, LCSW

Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Georgia. She brings over 19 years experience in the social work field, primarily working in school systems as a school social worker and with the McKinney-Vento grant. Over her career, Nicole has had several opportunities to help develop and execute professional development events. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Alabama and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/08/2024–08/08/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 cultural competence continuing education credits.

Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0835.

Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0355.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.