Esteemed social worker to present findings on LGBT youth wellness and families March 30

FERNDALE –
Dr. Caitlin Ryan, founder and director of the Family Acceptance Project team at San Francisco State University is discussing practical implications and concrete strategies for rethinking approaches to supporting the health and well-being of all young people including LGBT youth in ethnically and religiously diverse families on March 30 at 9 a.m. at Affirmations Community Center.
Dr. Ryan and her Family Acceptance Project team have recently conducted new research on LGBT young people and their families showing that families have a dramatic influence on their LGBT children's health and well being. She will share these key findings with faith leaders, youth-serving professionals and other care-giving adults.
Existing approaches to serving LGBT adolescents have focused almost exclusively on serving LGBT youth alone and through peer support, rather than in the context of their families. Dr. Ryan's work changes the paradigm, to decrease risk for suicide, homelessness, school victimization, and HIV/AIDS and to promote wellness and positive development for LGBT youth and young adults in the context of their families.
Dr. Ryan is a clinical social worker and has worked on LGBT health and mental health issues for more than 35 years. Her work has specialized in translating science into basic concepts for decision makers, diverse communities and the general public. Her efforts to assist LGBT children have earned her recognition by many professional and community groups, including the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights and the National Association of People With AIDS.
She currently serves on the LGBT Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and is a Purpose Prize Fellow.
There is no charge for this program and a continental breakfast will be available. RSVP to Judy Lewis at [email protected] or call 248-398-7105 for more information.