Youth Alternatives 'Project Reach Out' Gives Voice to LGBTQ Youth Health Concerns and Family Issues

Survey results cite experiences of LGBTQ young people accessing mental health, medical and substance abuse services in southern Maine

Portland, Maine — Youth Alternatives, a nationally accredited provider of services to children, youth and families throughout Maine, has concluded a research study examining what young people who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or questioning (LGBTQ) experienced in using medical, mental health and substance abuse services in Maine. Funding for the project came from a planning grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation, Inc. (MeHAF), Maine’s largest nonprofit health care foundation.

During Project Reach Out, YA researchers collected 108 surveys in total anonymity. Data was collected through Outright in Portland and Augusta, Maine, and Portsmouth, N.H.; at the Southern Maine Pride Festival; and the Maine Bureau of Health-sponsored Youth Summit. Survey respondents, who were 22 years old and younger, were asked about their experiences accessing services from July 2004 through July 2005.

The surveys captured respondents’ opinions on the services available to LGBTQ youth as well as the barriers to accessing those services. The three service categories most frequently utilized were counseling services, school-based services and medical services. That doesn’t mean, however, that those services are fully effective. Forty percent of respondents felt they needed additional counseling services, and 31% felt additional medical services would be beneficial.

What are LGBTQ health issues? On the one hand, they are the same issues as everyone else’s. At the same time, prejudice, ignorance, and fear may mean that LGBTQ young people avoid seeking services they need, such as treatment for substance abuse. Survey respondents offered feedback on breaking these barriers and creating LGBTQ-friendly services. Suggestions included making materials available that reflect the LGBTQ health experience and hanging LGBTQ safe zone symbols on doors to offices and exam rooms.

“Project Reach Out was a tremendous opportunity to learn how best to provide support for these overlooked youth and their families at home, in the schools and out in their communities,” said Michael J. Tarpinian, Youth Alternatives President. “We are thrilled to be able to share this data and ensure that new services to youth and their families will be accessible, appropriate and most of all, effective.”

The findings from this one-year research project will be presented at the Project Reach Out Community Forum on Tuesday, November 1, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Rines Auditorium in the Portland Public Library. In addition, a panel of young people, service providers and family members will be on hand to share ways health, mental health and substance abuse service providers can make their services more accessible.

Research results are also available to other individuals and agencies working to support the health of LGBTQ young people. Interested parties are asked to call 207.874.1175.

Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit social service agency founded in 1972, advances safe, happy, healthy childhoods and positive family relationships. Through its comprehensive continuum of care, Youth Alternatives creates homes for vulnerable children and youth; supports families in need, conflict or crisis; reaches out to homeless youth; provides substance abuse treatment; and ensures safety by working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 6,100 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year. Youth Alternatives relies on the support of our community, individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.

The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF), created in 2000, is the state’s largest health care foundation. Their mission is to promote affordable and timely access to comprehensive, quality health care and to improve the health of every Maine resident. In particular, MeHAF targets strategies that serve the uninsured and medically underserved.

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