For my blog post, I wanted to briefly reflect and discuss my
experience visiting the Identity Center. I am very pleased that our class chose
to select the Southern Tier AIDS Program as one of the finalists as I believe
they serve a very important role in the Binghamton Community. I really liked
the center, it’s welcoming energy, and motivating staff members. Fostering a
successful community of young adults in a space where they feel respected and
comfortable is a huge accomplishment. My favorite part of the visit was when
the staff brought out the framed mosaic of the broken window. It was a
beautiful way to respond to hate and showed the resilience of the center and
was a visual representation of the center’s importance in the local community.
Something that came to my mind as I was sitting in the
Identity Center was an article I’d read a few weeks ago regarding suicide rates
in transgender youth and young adults. What stuck with me was that more than 50% of transgender male teens who
participated in this survey reported attempting suicide in their lifetime,
while 29.9 percent of transgender female teens said they attempted suicide.
Among non-binary youth, 41.8 percent of respondents stated that they had
attempted suicide at some point in their lives (Toomey et al, 2018). These
rates are extraordinarily high compared to average national suicide rates,
which could be attributed to the lack of mental health support and communities
for LGBTQ youth and young adults. Research suggests that LGBTQ individuals face
health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of
their civil and human rights. Discrimination against LGBTQ persons has been
associated with these high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and
suicide (Healthy People, 2019). I believe that through creating safe spaces,
respectful communities, and offering resources for LGBTQ persons is a fantastic
step towards a de-stigmatized and in turn "mentally healthier"
population. Upon reading this study and thinking about these statistics,
I realized that the Identity Center may be more important now than ever. Taking
care of mental health and being a part of a community that is caring and
accepting is a critical part in protecting LGBTQ youth and young adults.
What do you guys think? Do you think that organizations
like the identity center can help lower suicide rates among LGBTQ persons and
what else do you think can be done in a broader sense in terms of mental health
awareness? I know the class responded well to the charity pitches related to
mental health programs, so I’d like to hear your input on this!
Studies Mentioned:
Toomey, Russell B, et
al. “Transgender Adolescent Suicide Behavior.” Pediatrics, vol. 142, no. 4,
Oct. 2018, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20174218.
"Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender Health." Healthy People. Accessed April 04,
2019.
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health.
Chloe,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and was very overwhelmed by the statistics you cite. I couldn't believe that 50% of transgender males report to attempting suicide. I believe that it is our jobs as humans on this earth to lessen those percentages and overall lower the negative stigmas of being transgender. After visiting the Southern Tier Aids Program, I was shocked at how dedicated and personal the staff was. They all seemed so passionate about their jobs and it looked like they intended to stay there for the long term. The overall building as a whole seemed very welcoming and cozy for kids of all kinds to come and hangout. What was most eye-popping to me, was the artwork along the walls. All of the artwork was LGTBQ+ friendly and I’m sure the students making them felted respected and open when making them.
To answer your question, I do believe that the Southern Tier Aids Program can help lower suicide rates among LGBTQ+ Persons. I do feel however, that they need to raise their amount of education. The center seemed more of a hangout space, rather than a learning environment. I don’t see the difference between all of these kids going to someone's house to hangout rather than the Identity Center. There needs to be a more defined education program in order to expand successfully. In addition, I feel that all of the students in the identity center probably already know about the stigmas and biases by being LGBTQ+, however the rest of the population in Binghamton may not. The identity center needs to do more outreach to the community as a whole to lessen these stigmas. I myself do not feel educated enough among these topics to make a clear and definitive opinion. Thank you and good luck!
-Matt
The statistics mentioned in your post are appalling. As mentioned, I believe the numbers speak for themselves when compared to national average of suicide attempt. I agree that the space radiated positivity and the staff members were incredibly welcoming.
ReplyDeleteTo respond to Matt's point above, I agree that increasing education and community outreach would be beneficial to the mission of STAP; however, I do not think this takes away from the importance of a space like the Identity Center to the Binghamton community. Having access to resources like art supplies, food, and contraception is a benefit that youth may not have if gathering at someone's house. Additionally, the Identity Center is a way for youth in the community to connect, where they may not if they did not have this space. Finally, for some youth whose home is not even a safe space, the Identity Center becomes even more important.
Chloe,
ReplyDeleteYour post speaks to the importance of not only mental health, but giving people a sense of belonging. Humans are by nature a species that seeks community and inclusiveness because we were not meant to live alone. As people start to hit adolescence and begin to discover who they are, they tend to feel lost as it is hard for many teens to vocalize how they feel about themselves and their identities. Your statistics show that this problem is even worse in the LGBTQ+ community because as a minority of people, it is exponentially harder for people in that community to find those with similar experiences to help them through the process of discovery.
For this reason, I think the Identity Center is an incredible organization because it does just that in an area of the country where LGBTQ+ Youth Centers are few and far between. Just providing a sense of comfort and belonging to the community goes such a long way in the world of mental health. While the employees might not be mental health professionals, they certainly provide the support that is necessary to have a healthy mindset for those who continue to feel targeted and ostracized in the world.
Hi Chloe,
ReplyDeleteIt’s a tragedy that a such a high suicide rate exists in the transgender community. I wish that such a thing didn’t exist, but it does and so we must deal with it. Organizations such as STAP are a good way to do just that. Their ability to offer support and a loving community to individuals who are statistically at risk of hurting themselves is a noble, and I believe effective, effort. There was a study, conducted by clinical psychology doctor Evan Kleiman, that found that social support leads to a decrease in suicide rates. Social support is defined as “…anything that leads someone to ‘believe that he is cared for and loved, esteemed, and a member of a network of mutual obligations’” (Kleiman and Liu). I prepared the presentation on STAP and from my research I found that they do provide this social support to the LGBTQ community here at Binghamton.
'
I was unable to attend the site visit to the STAP center, but I have talked to my classmates and they have said nothing but positive things about the group. They all seem to believe in it and what they aim to do. I certainly do. I bring this up because I think that their business program is something that can increase mental health awareness. By giving high school students from this community, which is in economic turmoil, a chance to better their chances at a financially stable future is a great movement by itself. But by having them interact with the community at STAP while they are preparing themselves in order to make a positive impact in society is fantastic. You not only help those less fortunate, but also give them a perspective on the LGBTQ world. Essentially, you’re helping and spreading the word.
Link to Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3683363/
Hello Chloe,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post and for sharing the statistics of suicide rates among non-binary and transgender youth and young adults. As I read your blog post, I was appalled and shocked, as I could not believe the rates were that high. While I am not sure that organizations like the Southern Tier Aids Program Identity Center lower suicide rates, I can confirm that organizations like the Identity Center give people in those communities a safe space and a supportive family, things that many members of the community unfortunately lack. Between the gaming set up, the instruments, the art work, and the snacks, the Identity Program does their best to create a place of comfort for LGBTQ+ youth to go to after school.
While they do create this comforting environment, it is important to note that mental health is an extremely serious issue and to agree with the comments above, STAP may not have professionally trained staff members to deal with the issues. However, although the employees might not be mental health professionals, they are certainly not only a resource but also an advocate for the youth and their needs. They are one component of the large team fighting to help the LGBTQ+ community and fighting to decrease suicide rates and stigmas surrounding the community.
Thank you for asking such a thought provoking question! It is a really important conversation to have and I am glad we are acknowledging it before making the final decisions in class!
Sincerely,
Lexi Murman
Chloe,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your blog post on this organization. I, too, am happy that STAP was chosen as a finalist and I am grateful that we had the opportunity to visit the Identity Center. When I first walked into the building, I remember having a genuine feeling of being welcomed. Background music was playing and walls were covered with different paintings. It truly had a homey vibe and to me, that is very important. LGBTQ+ children and teens have a place where they can feel comfortable and be themselves.
To list a few more statistics:
There are more than 200 college campuses around the nation that “have a dedicated office or resource center for LGBTQ students with paid staff members.”
“20% of LGBTQ college students feared for their physical safety due to their gender identity or their perceived sexual orientation.”
31% of LGBTQ students of color reported experiencing “exclusionary, intimidating, offensive, or hostile conduct” that they attributed to their racial identity
To compare the first statistic, there is an estimation of 5,300 colleges and universities in the United States. This means that 3% out of the total number of campuses have LGBTQ resources that students can take advantage of. Each K-12 schools and college campuses around the country desperately need places like the Identity Center, where students can receive resources and feel comfortable about their identity.
Looking at these statistics, questions arise on how we, as a society, can limit LGBTQ discrimination, especially in education. How can schools and college campuses create a community that is accepting of LGBTQ students? Narrowing the field even more, if we think about Binghamton University specifically, we as a campus need to think about how we can have offices and resources that are easily accessible. We also need to think about how to reach out to LGBTQ students in need of help.
I believe that we need to work together in creating an environment where we include LGBTQ students, accept their identity, and make resources that are easily available for them.
https://pnpi.org/lgbtq-students-in-higher-education/
- Jacob Yi
Hi Chloe!
ReplyDeleteThe research that you included in your blog post makes is a very throughout reflection. I appreciated when Francesca first made her reflection on the American Civic Association, so I am also glad that you and Connor have decided to make blog posts about STAP and the Identity Center so there can be further discussion outside of the classroom.
When I first walked into the Identity Center, I immediately felt welcomed, something I know much of the class commented on while we were there. The staff were clearly very friendly people, but after hearing them talk to us about their time working there, I could see how passionate and devoted they are to the work they are doing. All of the organizations we have visited so far have shared a similar passion for their work, but at the Identity Center it felt a little different. I think the difference connects very strongly to the statistics you shared about suicide rates among LGBTQ+ teens. When they shared the anecdote of the youth that had been a regular but then stopped coming for a while and how relieved they were when they showed up again, I could really see how strongly they felt. I agree with what you said about how the Identity Center can help the youth feel more welcomed and in turn "mentally healthier." Knowing that you have a place where you belong is a very powerful thing, especially when most of the world around you makes you feel the opposite. Being able to interact with other youth who are going through the same things they are, and having a staff that is very supportive, is setting the individuals up for success.
I also agree with Matt's comment above in which he says that the Identity Center should raise its amount of education. Actually, while we were there, I did ask how much education they provide, because I saw so many pamphlets around the room. While I understand their response in saying that they want the Identity Center to be a welcoming place, I feel education services should also be provided, maybe at night so the teens can choose to come. I think educating the community of Binghamton is also an important step, as Matt mentioned. If they did more outreach, then they would be fixing both sides of the issue.
My one question is about what they want to use the operating grant for. They said it was for their bike program, but I am still not sure what the program really entails. And I am questioning whether this is going to actually help anyone. I think the programming grant being used for the internship program is a good idea, and it sounds like a lot of thought has gone into that project. I don't feel the same about the operational one though. I know that it is ultimately their decision to use that grant for what they want, but I just wonder if the funds could go to community outreach or education within the Identity Center instead.
I have attached a link to a CNN article that describes the importance of belonging. I briefly mentioned how important it is, but this article goes more into depth into the "belonging intervention." It also mentions how the feeling of belonging is particularly powerful in "minorities, women and gay youth." The article outlines the positive effects of belonging on the individuals' lives, and I feel this has parallels to the benefits the LGBTQ+ teens are getting from the Identity Center. Definitely worth a read, especially because I'm sure all of us sometimes don't feel like we belong, but know you are not alone.
https://www.cnn.com/2012/06/01/health/enayati-importance-of-belonging/index.html
-Jillian