This is anecdotal, but this problem is so evident if you interact with LGBTQ+ youth in any capacity. I used to mod a discord server with a lot of queer teens, and they’d vent in the chat, people would tell them to get help, and they’d be like, “Can’t.”
Then sometimes they’d message me out of desperation, and so I’d try to look up community resources for them, provide them with phone numbers and links, only for them to encounter further barriers, one of the big ones being lack of money, transportation, and parental support. Not to mention making sure the provider is an ally – lots of “Christian” providers out there who could do more harm than good.
Even as an adult with an income, it’s fucking hard to access mental healthcare, but it’s much, much worse for youth. The situation is dire, and I’d like to shake parents and guardians who don’t at a bare minimum support these kids and try to get them support and help them navigate the horrible system.
This is anecdotal, but this problem is so evident if you interact with LGBTQ+ youth in any capacity. I used to mod a discord server with a lot of queer teens, and they’d vent in the chat, people would tell them to get help, and they’d be like, “Can’t.”
Then sometimes they’d message me out of desperation, and so I’d try to look up community resources for them, provide them with phone numbers and links, only for them to encounter further barriers, one of the big ones being lack of money, transportation, and parental support. Not to mention making sure the provider is an ally – lots of “Christian” providers out there who could do more harm than good.
Even as an adult with an income, it’s fucking hard to access mental healthcare, but it’s much, much worse for youth. The situation is dire, and I’d like to shake parents and guardians who don’t at a bare minimum support these kids and try to get them support and help them navigate the horrible system.
I wish child abuse/neglect was illegal.
Yeah truth. Child abuse and neglect are perfectly legal and in some cases even sanctioned by the state, as long as it’s the “right” kind of abuse.
I’m barely alive and my parents are fine, if they were abusive I’d be long dead. I’m sure the legislators are very sad I survived.
I had good parents too, and it was still absolute hell growing up here
I’ve never had kids of my own, but I can’t fathom making one’s own child feel invalid in any way, much less neglecting their health and well-being