The school's counseling department can offer emotional therapy for our LGBT+ teens. The counselors are aware that the kids are at risk. Most school counselors have very little capabilities for extended counseling sessions but most schools are able to refer to counseling services that can provide consistent 45+ minute sessions for the individual and for the family. This is where we as teachers serve with our social worker hat and make referrals.
There are some issues that can come up. Connecting with the counseling department can get tricky because of confidentiality practices. Counselors do not wish to "out" students and teachers do not know how to ask questions. Even sending an email with an LGBT+ question is nerve wracking, especially if the students' guardians are not supportive or aware of the situation. The school staff is weary of keeping secrets or not knowing what is and is not a secret. It's not what anybody wants but what do we do then? There is no easy answer because nothing is black and white.
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