Back to School Means High Anxiety for Many CO Teens
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September 2, 2009
DENVER - By now, most Colorado teens are back in school, and of course stress levels are up because of homework, assignments, peer pressure, and more. However, for many of the state's gay youth, or those perceived as gay, there's an extra level of fear and anxiety that comes along with each school day. That's according to Cory Barrett, who directs youth services for Rainbow Alley in Denver. He hears from local youth dealing with bullying, harassment, threats and even being physically hurt by fellow students.
"This has actually lead to quite a few students skipping school or having unacceptable absences, and so forth, just because of that fear."
Barrett says places like Rainbow Alley and growing numbers of gay-straight alliance groups are working with schools to make education a more comfortable experience for all teens.
He says a recent Health Department study found GLBT (gay, Lesbian, bisexual, transgender) youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.
"Issues that are happening at school are often the root of those feelings, of having suicidal ideations, and so forth."
He says it's important to point out that all teens struggle with issues around depression and their identity, but also notes that gay students are three times more likely to drop out of school than their straight peers.
Barrett says teachers, parents and community leaders should all be responsible for working to make sure all students feel safe at school. He says many GLBT students express feelings of fear even if they haven't yet had any negative experiences.
"You know, it's the anxiety of anticipating that if those things haven't been happening, that they're going to start happening at some point."
According to national research by Mental Health America, gay or questioning youth hear anti-gay slurs such as "homo," "faggot," and "sissy" about 26 times a day, or once every 14 minutes. Recent studies have also found that 31 percent of gay youth have been threatened or injured at school in the last year alone.
Rainbow Alley is part of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, located at 1050 Broadway in Denver and open for after school hours most weekday afternoons and evenings.
Statistics and more information are at www.nmha.org