Just released, Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth provides a comprehensive research overview of effective and ineffective therapeutic practices related to youth of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity.

SAMHSA’s new report:

• Provides an updated evidence-based roadmap for supporting and affirming LGBTQI+ youth.
• Comprehensively reviews key scientific studies, guidelines from major medical and other professional associations, and implications for clinical care.
• Offers guidance and highlights resources for health care providers, educators, families, community leaders, and others — to reduce behavioral health inequities facing LGBTQI+ youth and their families.
• Explores policy levers and future research areas that can improve the behavioral health of LGBTQI+ youth.

Significant research over the past several years lays to rest any questions about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI, pronounced “SO-gee”) change efforts — commonly known as “conversion therapy.” It is harmful, ineffective, inappropriate, and should never be provided to youth.

Furthermore, new research supports gender-affirming care for youth.

In 2022, SAMHSA explored the themes of this report at several educational events, including presentations at the Midwest LGBTQ+ Health Symposium, the GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health, and:

• A webinar for clinicians, hosted by the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity: Evidence & Interventions to Support & Affirm LGBTQ+ Children & Adolescents
• A webinar for families and communities, hosted by the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center: Supporting America’s LGBTQ+ Youth: Approaches, Strategies and Opportunities
• SAMHSA’s Prevention Day (earlier this year) also highlighted information from the report.