LA AFFIRM

Mental health

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

LGBTQIA+ youth face significant mental health challenges compared to their non-LGBTQIA+ counterparts, with depression rates ranging from 28% to 60%. Transgender youth exhibit depression symptoms at rates four times higher than non-transgender youth. High levels of depression correlate with feelings of being a burden, leading to increased levels of suicide. LGBTQIA+ youth have higher rates of suicidal ideation (28% vs. 12%) and are nearly three times more likely to attempt suicide than non-LGBTQIA+ youth. Limited access to mental health treatment exacerbates these challenges.

The Affirm Health program addresses the significant mental health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth by creating a safe, inclusive space and providing evidence-based coping skills training. Affirm specifically targets unhoused LGBTQIA+ youth in the San Fernando Valley, who are particularly vulnerable due to their compounded challenges. AFFIRM Youth is an eight-module manualized intervention designed to reduce mental health and behavioral risks. This intervention is supported by substantial evidence indicating its effectiveness in reducing depression and improving health decision-making and coping skills.
In addition to direct intervention with youth, Affirm Health includes a robust educational component aimed at healthcare providers. This involves training pediatricians, advanced practitioners, and caregivers at Providence Facey Medical Group in affirmative approaches to LGBTQIA+ mental health care. By educating healthcare providers on the unique needs and challenges of this population, the program ensures a more supportive and informed healthcare environment.
Our holistic approach addresses immediate mental health concerns and fosters long-term resilience and improved mental health outcomes. By combining direct youth intervention with provider education, Affirm Health creates a comprehensive support system that aligns with California’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health. This initiative aims to significantly reduce rates of depression and suicidality among LGBTQIA+ youth.

When the Affirm Health program succeeds, Los Angeles County will be even better and stronger. Our cherished county will become a beacon of support and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ youth, especially those who are unhoused. This transformative initiative will reduce the staggering rates of depression and suicidality among LGBTQIA+ youth by providing a safe space and equipping them with essential coping skills. The youth will feel more empowered, understood, and less like a burden, leading to a community where they can thrive rather than merely survive. Moreover, healthcare providers across the county will be better educated and more adept at addressing the unique mental health needs of LGBTQIA+ youth. The program's scalability lies in its structured, manualized format, which allows for easy replication and adaptation in different settings. The evidence-based nature of AFFIRM Youth ensures consistent results, making it an ideal model for other organizations and regions.

Within the past year, The Village Family Services along with Facey Medical Group has delivered 4 cycles of 8-week modules of coping skills training that focuses on reducing mental health and behavioral risks for the youth we serve. This program has been delivered by a trained and certified behavioral health specialist (e.g. LMFT, LCSW), in a group based format. The curriculum provides participants with opportunities to develop and support healthy coping skills that lead to healthy behaviors and foster their wellbeing. As a result, they have shown growth in the following areas: youth cognition (self-awareness, identifying risk), mood (the link between thoughts and feelings), behavior (strengths and ways of coping) through learning and practicing skills, and helps them to identify safe and supportive adults in their schools and communities. This evidence has been shown through pre and post evaluations as well as observations.

The Facey Group will play a pivotal role in overseeing the program's implementation. Their expertise and leadership will ensure effective management and strategic direction throughout the project. This will contribute significantly by facilitating key activities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. This collaborative effort will leverage their specialized knowledge to achieve our shared goals efficiently.