Monitor on Psychology - November 2011 - (Page 11)

‘LEAD with Love’ documentary seeks to reach parents of LGBT kids A University of Utah research team has created a new way of helping lesbian, gay and bisexual teens — by reaching out to their parents. A 35-minute documentary, “LEAD with Love,” aims to help parents who are having trouble accepting their child’s sexual orientation. LGBT adolescents are at higher risk than straight teens for depression, substance abuse and suicide, according to the Institute of Medicine, which released the first comprehensive report on LGBT health this past spring. While there are many reasons for this discrepancy, including bullying and feeling isolated, research suggests that parental support can also play a crucial role, says David Huebner, PhD, associate professor of psychology at the University of Utah. “We find that the ways parents respond to kids when they come out has a surprisingly huge impact on the child’s health,” Huebner says. “Adolescents are eight times more likely to attempt suicide when they have parents who are highly rejecting.” The vast majority of gay teens do not attempt or commit suicide, but those who do might be the kids for whom there isn’t any safe place, Huebner says. They may face bullying at school, or their parents don’t know or aren’t supportive. “That’s probably a perfect storm,” he says. “LEAD with Love” works to address this problem by speaking directly and sympathetically to parents who may struggle with their children’s sexual orientation. The film focuses on four families of gay teens. The central theme of the film is the acronym LEAD: Let your affection show; Express pain away from your child; Avoid rejecting behaviors; and Do good before you feel good. Interspersed among interviews with the families are concrete strategies for following the LEAD strategy, along with expert advice and information about homosexuality. “There is an empirical foundation for almost everything we present in the film,” says Huebner. The team is now studying viewer response through a survey that allows for open-ended feedback, and hopes to launch a formal study of the film’s effectiveness. Although a rigorous, controlled trial has not yet been done, says Huebner, “I’m really encouraged and excited about the changes suggested in the data we do have.” —E. WoJCiK “LEAD With Love” is available for free online at www.leadwithlovefilm.com. treating veterans will cost at least $5 billion by 2020, CBo says Disability and health care for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars — including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury — will cost the United States billions of dollars for decades to come, according to data from the Congressional Budget Office. The office ran two scenarios: Scenario 1 reflects a quick withdrawal of forces to 30,000 active-duty personnel by 2013, and Scenario 2 reflects a more gradual withdrawal to 60,000 personnel by 2015. Scenario 2 resulted in costs on par with the interest America pays on its national debt. (Billions of 2011 dollars) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Actual Obligations Projected Costs Source: www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/123xx/ doc12315/07-27-VA_Healthcare.pdf 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 11 n ov e M b e r 2 0 1 1 • M o n i to r o n p s yc h o l o g y http://www.leadwithlovefilm.com http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/123xx/doc12315/07-27-VA_Healthcare.pdf http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/123xx/doc12315/07-27-VA_Healthcare.pdf

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - November 2011

Monitor on Psychology - November 2011
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
Guest Column
‘Grand Challenges’ offers blueprint for mental health research
Documentary seeks to reach parents of LGBT kids
Treating veterans will cost at least $5 billion by 2020
Selfless volunteering might lengthen your life
Combat and stress up among U.S. military in Afghanistan
South Africa to host international psychology conference
Study uncovers a reason behind sex differences in mental illness
Navy psychologist gives a voice to combat trauma
In Brief
Psychologist suicide
On Your Behalf
Journey back to Heart Mountain
Psychology is key to pain management, report finds
ACT goes international
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Science Watch
Behavior change in 15-minute sessions?
Health-care reform 2.0
Perspective on Practice
Giving a heads up on concussion
Practice Profile
Searching for meaning
Inspiring young researchers
Aging, with grace
Public Interest
Thank you!
APA News
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
The man who gave Head Start a start
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - November 2011