Education and Training Needs of School Staff Relevant to Preventing Risk Behaviors and Promoting Health Behaviors Among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth

Abstract

Abstract A national-level needs assessment of high school psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurses was conducted to identify training and educational resource material needs of these staff relevant to providing health and mental health services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning (GLBQ) youth. Systematic sampling procedures were employed with professional membership lists of five national organizations. A self-administered survey, extensively pilot tested, was completed by 941 school staff. Results revealed that most staff acknowledged the presence of GLBQ youth in their schools; reported “accepting” attitudes toward these students; perceived GLBQ students to be at much higher risk, than their heterosexual counterparts, for several health and mental health problems; indicated that they should be providing more services to these students; and identified a number of barriers related to school climate, lack of staff training, and community/parental opposition that hamper service provision to GLBQ youth. Based on these findings, the authors recommend that school professionals discuss effective strategies for risk prevention and health promotion for GLBQ youth within their specific school-based setting, and the delivery of professional development activities to school health professionals on topics of GLBQ youth and health.