Over the Rainbow

Ashlie Chang, Cindy Guzman De La Rocha, Andrew Hoang, Victoria Lopez, and Linda Ta

The Problem● 9% of American youths identify as LGBTQ

● Negative social stigma and attitudes towards LGBTQ community

● Risk factors○ Experiencing violence, feeling unsafe at school, drug use, depression○ Twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide

Why Long Beach?● Long Beach Unified School District has 75,000 students

● Long Beach has one of the fastest growing LGBTQ populations in the United States

The GoalTo reduce suicide attempts amongst Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered,

and Questioning (LGBTQ) high school students in Long Beach

Interventions ➢ Intervention 1- We Are All In It

➢ Intervention 2- Mind Over Matter

➢ Intervention 3- A Story To Be Heard

➢ Intervention 4- The Future Is Today

We Are All In It➢ Monthly meetings

○ Field trips

○ Movies

○ Team building activities

○ Breathing exercises

○ Powerpoint presentations

○ Discussions

Mind Over Matter➢ Mindful meditation techniques and

exercises○ Yoga

○ Body scans

○ Exercises make aware of the 5 senses

○ Relaxation Techniques

A Story To Be Heard➢ Webinar

○ Live webinar

○ Four guest speakers in Fall and

Spring

○ Real life stories and experiences

○ Coping methods

The Future Is Today➢ Text Messaging App

○ KiK & Viber

○ 24-hour hotline

○ Accessible, emotional support

➢ Tumblr○ Official blog for program

○ Weekly topics

○ Social support/connection with other members in the program

Text Messaging App ● Purpose: Immediate emotional assistant

○ Individuals who are feeling lonely,

depressed, and/or suicidal

● Text messages are received by two

trained health educator

○ A Health educator will be available

24hrs a day.

● Anonymous

○ Usernames/ generated phone

numbers

○ Confidential

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EducatorH.S. Intern

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MAIN BLOG - Health Educator

● Topic of the Week

● Explanation of the topic

● Resources

● Question(s) of the Week

● Updates/Reminders

TumblrHealth Science Intern● 5-6 participants● Help guide topic● Refer to more resources and/or Health

Educator

Participants● Comment on group members’ posts● Give feedback on other activities● Form connections with group members

H.S. Intern

Expected OutcomeImpact:

● 20% of participants will be able to identify at least 5 signs of suicidal behavior

● 25% of participants will report an increase in social support● 15% will be able to demonstrate at least one coping skill

Outcome:

● There will be a 10% decrease of suicidal attempts in participants