The Scarred Soul

I have been working with LGBT young people for over twenty years now and it seems to me there are clear links between the higher levels of self-harm (and substance misuse, homelessness) and sexual/gender orientation. We recently published a report "Ten Years On: LGBT Young People in Calderdale" which compares some of the findings from a qualitative study with 15 young people in 1998 to more quantitative findings from 50 interviews using the GALYIC Needs Assessment Tool (NAT). You can access the report on:
http://www.galyic.org.uk/about/history.html

Many of our members have or are self-harming before they access our services but after several weeks of attending GALYIC they usually stop (unless there are other reasons, such as sexual abuse, for the self harm). We developed an Impact Assessment Tool (IMP) to show how accessing support, especially meeting peers, can significantly reduce the vulnerability of LGBT young people.

As a result of analysing the findings the NAT has now been improved and amended and is available for LGBT youth groups and other professionals working with LGBT young people. See:
http://lgbt.resurv.co.uk/

Jan Bridget

What I have been finding is that body alienation and conflict over one's sexual orientation are more closely linked to self-injury. An assessment of these two areas may lead to discovering that an individual also has a history of sexual abuse which needs to be addressed.

Thank you for writing this article. I am tired of hearing that 1. lesbians must be less likely to have anorexia (or an eating disorder) and 2. lesbians are likely to be more comfortable in their bodies or are more accepting of their physical appearance. Especially as young women, it is not fair to say that we are somehow immune to social pressures, homophobia, and strict cultural beauty ideals. There is an overflow of research confirming my first two points, which renders myself and many other women struggling with self-injury and their sexuality less visible to practitioners and to one another.

Very interesting study.
Surviving a homeless style of living, i have had the experience of meeting the people classed as LGBT. There are many arguements, although, when involved with these people at a personal level, it is plain to see that each person is screaming out for attention. It was also apparent that each person has been perscribed a different perscription drug (which i don't aggree is helping our younger people).
I mean these are people who have gone through abuse, emotional and physical, who are just wanting to be understood and who desire a sense of belonging...................no matter what they try to lead you to believe! Just like me and you-Sensitive people don't need drugs to make them emotionless! they need understanding and belonging. 'Oh, i know what is wrong, have a pill' Is not going to cut it!
Sensitivity is something we all go through-we just need extra support during these times or we start to question ones worth.