Trigger warning: this article mentions suicidality.
When we talk about parental and emotional support, we often do not take personal opinion and preferences into account. Parental support, to maintain a healthy familial relationship, requires unconditional love and support to children.
Parental Support
Parental support incorporates different aspects of nurturing, attachment, and love. As such, this is pretty much demonstrated through behaviors toward the child from the parent. Research has found that, in general, the greater the parental support, the more likely that the child will experience better functioning and less problematic behavior in the future. Parental support has been seen to play a very crucial role when it comes to those who experience victimization and teasing due to their sexual orientation.
Mental Health
How parents respond to their child “coming out” has a big effect on their emotional and mental well-being. The more rejecting the family is, the more likely that the mental health of the child is going to deteriorate, leading to the possible development of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, thoughts and attempts of suicide are prone to increase greatly as a result of this.
Those in the LGBTQ+ community who have received acceptance from their families have reported experiencing emotional security and feelings of safety in their environment. Mental health professionals who aim to guide families to accept their children do so despite any pre-existing religious or non-religious beliefs for the sole purpose of reducing the risk of harm in the child, potentially saving lives.
How can I support my loved ones?
Away from any cultural and/or religious beliefs, medical and mental health professionals recommend a few ways that we can support our loved ones –
- Let them know that they are loved and accepted
- Encourage dialogue and allow your kids to open up
- Learn more about and understand their situation
- Make them feel comfortable
- Look out for signs of bullying