The health & wellbeing of Same Sex Attracted Youth (SSAY)

Abstract

Since 1998... • SSAY are coming out more, younger. • They feel better about being SSA. • Most expect same sex marriage, children, and religious affiliations. • They are more likely to experience homophobic abuse... Social connectedness and inclusion are vital pre-requisites for good mental health and a sense of well-being. It is therefore disappointing that these young people are being given such strong messages that they are unacceptable and that they do not belong in the broader community. These messages create feelings of alienation from the community that are continuously reinforced. We know that resilience in young people is dependant on connectedness and trust in other people, two things that are destroyed when young people are treated as outsiders. Even more powerful in conveying messages of societal rejection may be the verbal and physical abuse directed at this group.