Mental Health Disparity Among Youth Aging Out of the Foster-care System

Mental health Disparity among LGBTQ Youth Aging out of the Foster-care System
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April 24, 2021
Understanding the relationship between a person's living conditions and mental health is essential for healthcare providers and policy-makers. It allows them to better insight into the underlying issues that individuals face, thereby providing a more effective response for their health and well-being. Accordingly, one of the issues that need efficient intervention is the mental health of LGBTQ children living in foster care (or simply LGBT children or 'youth'). Specifically, the author refers to those who have "aged out" of the foster care system, which could serve as an influence or factor towards their mental health predispositions. In the subsequent sections of the article, the author would provide critical statistics about LGBTQs in foster homes in the United States. Thereafter an in-depth analysis about the disparities regarding their mental health would be provided on topics like (1) major causes of mental health illnesses, (2) rates of risks and vulnerabilities in mental health illnesses, and (3) disparities in access. Nonetheless, the author of this article believes that it is essential to understand the mental health needs of LGBTQ children who have already aged in foster homes.
LGBTQ Children in Foster Care Homes
LGBTQ Children in Foster Homes
The number of LGBTQ children (or youth) in foster-care homes has increased throughout the years. Studies show that around 30.4% of the youth living in foster care identify themselves as part of the LGBTQ in America alone. This is significantly higher than 11.2% of children who are not living under the same conditions CITATION Chind \l 1033 (ChildrensRights.Org, n.d.). Additionally, another set of studies have shown that around 43% of the LGBTQ children living in foster care were forced outside of their own homes over issues regarding their gender orientation and identity CITATION Yound \l 1033 (Youth.Gov, n.d.). This amounts to around 1.6 million LGBT homeless youths who are forced either to live in foster homes or on the streets. What adds to this concern is that the rate of incidence between youths differs based on their racial origins. For example, a report published by the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) shows that within this subpopulation, those who are from the lower-income communities of African-American or American Indian descent have a higher risk of becoming homeless compared to non-colored youths CITATION Les20 \l 13321 (Lesley.Edu, 2020).
In terms of mental health, a 2019 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) shows that about "80 percent of children in foster care have significant mental health issues". This is significantly higher than the average mental health illness rate for youths, estimated to be around 18 to 22% of the overall population CITATION NCS19 \l 13321 (NCSL.Org, 2019). Some of the most common types of mental health disorders among this subpopulation include; (1) post-traumatic stress disorder, (2) major depressive episodes, (3) modified social phobia, and (4) panic disorder, among others CITATION NCS19 \l 13321 (NCSL.Org, 2019).
Although it is clear that there is a higher risk for mental health illnesses for children in foster care, studies show that LGBTQ youth (simply 'youth') is exposed to an even greater risk of mental health illnesses in foster homes, as compared to either heterosexual in foster care or LGBTQs in stable family homes. Thus, the following section would be primarily oriented towards the understanding of these disparities between them.
Mental Health Disparity
One of the main issues that LGBTQ children experience inside a foster home is a higher number of victimizations, bullying, mental health problems, or even lack of access to effective psychological treatments.
On the one hand, studies show that the increase in mental health illness stems from either family-related problems or those within the social dynamics of foster homes. For example, in one study conducted by Baams, Wilson, and Russell (2019), the authors found out that LGBTQ youth in foster care homes are more likely to engage in school fights, be victimized, and experience mental health problems as compared to "LGBTQ youth in stable housing and heterosexual youth in foster care." This is brought about by prejudice and other circumstances that cause other children (mainly heterosexual children) to think negatively and discriminatorily about this subpopulation. Additionally, it was stated earlier that most of these youth are either driven away or ran away from their own homes due to disagreements and conflicts regarding their gender identity. In line with disparity, this fact shows that risks and vulnerabilities that cause mental health illnesses are higher in this subpopulation than in others.
On the other hand, studies also show that compared to heterosexual youth in foster care or LGBTQs living in stable housing, LGBTQs youths living in foster care homes have significantly less access to (1) quality housing and sustenance and (2) mental health treatments. First, NAEH's (2019) report has shown that around 12 to 36% of runaways do not have an...