Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth during the Holidays

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Family Bullying / Intern / LGBTQ Issues / Mental Health / Mental Health / Parenting / Teen self-esteem  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Nat Bricker, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program

for many individuals,

the winter holidays can bring a variety of different emotions, from overall positivity and joy, to significant stress. The emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ youth during the holidays is particularly impacted by family dynamics and levels of family acceptance. It is important for families of LGBTQ+ youth to support the youth and for the youth to have tools for self-care if they do not have as much family support. This post hopes to give some guidance to folks in these different situations and with different needs.

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Your Life
If you have LGBTQ+ youth in your life, reaffirm your support of them this holiday season. If they are your child, remind them that you love them and want to support their exploration and growth. If you know a youth who does not have a supportive family, be the supportive adult or friend in their life to whom they can turn to share about stressful experiences. Give them the affirmation about their identities and inherent value that they may be missing at home or in other spaces. Share your unconditional support proactively – don’t wait for the youth to approach you but rather persistently reaffirm your support for them. For additional ways to show allyship during the holidays, check out this resource.

If a Youth Comes Out to You this Holiday Season
Perhaps because of the feelings of family togetherness associated with the holidays, this can be a meaningful time of year for LGBTQ+ youth to share their identities with loved ones. If a youth comes out to you, one of the most important things to do is simply to explicitly voice your unconditional and ongoing love and support. Additionally, show genuine interest and curiosity about their identities and experiences while at the same time taking care not to place the burden on them to educate you about every aspect of LGBTQ+ terminology, experiences, history, etc. Show your commitment to supporting them by doing your homework and learning about topics you’re unfamiliar with. Here is a resource of common terms and questions to get started, and here is another resource about how to be an ally and support folks after they come out to you.

Self-Care for LGBTQ+ Youth during the Holidays
Finally, if you are an LGBTQ+ youth, it is important to engage in self-care during the holiday season, especially if you are not yet out to your family or have an unsupportive family. This can be a stressful and difficult time, but remember that you can and will get through it. Below are some self-care tips to make it a little easier:

  • Reach out to supportive loved ones! Make a point of surrounding yourself with people who will affirm you and your identities, whether that be friends, family members, or other trusted adults. Taking time with chosen family can give yourself a break from dealing with unsupportive individuals and remind yourself that you are a lovable person with people who care about you.
  • Do fun things you enjoy! Watch a movie, show, or funny video; listen to music; dance; go on a walk; play a game; do something creative; or do any other hobby you enjoy. These can be great distractions from stressful situations, and doing something fun can bring you more happiness, too.
  • Do something nice for yourself! Treat yourself to a cozy night in, a bubble bath, a fancy or comforting meal or snack, or even buy yourself a little treat. Showing yourself love can remind you of your inherent worth and give you relief from stress.

For additional self-care tips during the holidays, see this resource and this resource.

Crisis Resources:

If you or a loved one are feeling hopeless or are in danger of harming yourself/themself, please reach out to one of the following hotlines: