smyal's legacy

SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) was founded in 1985 as community leaders, and advocates came together to identify ways to support LGBTQ Youth in Washington, D.C. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. Committed to social change, SMYAL builds, sustains, and advocates for programs, policies, and services that LGBTQ youth need as they grow into adulthood.

Partnering to Make an Impact

This new project, the LGBTQ Youth Clinical Services Department, is a unique program in the D.C. metro region that provides culturally competent support aimed at helping young people overcome trauma, stress, and negative risk behaviors and factors that are disproportionally represented among LGBTQ youth. This includes experiences of homelessness, suicidal ideation, negative coping mechanisms such as drug and alcohol use, or disengagement from school or social support.

The program recognizes that LGBTQ youth face intersectional challenges, barriers, and oppression. Examples range from the depression many young people face due to the higher rates of reported violence against people of color to the higher rates of drug and alcohol use experienced by young queer and trans youth due to discrimination and bullying in school or the workplace, to the higher rates of homelessness among LGBTQ youth. Many of the young LGBTQ people we support, particularly our young queer and trans youth of color, face many challenges based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, as well as their race, socio-economic status, immigration status, gender expression, or other identities.

Many LGBTQ youth have embraced mental and behavioral health supports to help mitigate high rates of stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, identifying culturally competent providers who are both available and affordable is increasingly challenging. Most clinicians specializing in LGBTQ youth are unavailable, with openings usually slotted multiple months from when the need is identified. Waiting months to access care may not be an option for a young person facing an urgent need for support. An additional barrier for many young people is that many of the best clinicians do not take insurance, which requires the client to pay upfront for the service and navigate the insurance billing system independently. This creates a financial burden for youth, particularly youth who do not have family support. These challenges can make behavioral and mental healthcare largely inaccessible.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SMYAL

For over 35 years, SMYAL has empowered lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in D.C.