Mindfulness is a mental state that involves focusing your attention to the present moment without judging or reacting to it. It can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, while increasing self-awareness and acceptance of oneself. Creative arts refer to activities such as painting, drawing, writing, music, dance, and drama which involve using one's imagination and creativity to express feelings and thoughts. Narrative interventions involve telling stories about past experiences, reflecting on them, and finding meaning and solutions from those experiences. These techniques have been shown to improve emotional well-being and resilience in LGBTQ+ youth, who often experience discrimination, stigma, and trauma related to their identities. Mindfulness can help LGBTQ+ youth become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, reducing negative self-talk and allowing them to be more open to new perspectives. It also helps them cope with difficult situations, such as coming out or facing rejection from family members. Creative arts provide an outlet for expression and communication, and give youth a sense of control over their lives. They can create art that represents their identity and expresses their unique experiences. Narrative interventions allow youth to explore their own stories and find meaning in them, providing greater insight into themselves and their relationships. Together, these techniques can help LGBTQ+ youth build resilience and develop coping strategies for challenging times.
Lack of supportive environments, social isolation, and internalized homophobia are common issues faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Mindfulness can help them stay present and grounded during these difficult times, while maintaining a positive attitude towards life. By being mindful of their thoughts and feelings, they can choose how to respond to stressors rather than react automatically. This can help them avoid burnout, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Through creative arts, youth can create something tangible that reflects their inner world and gives them pride in their identity. They can connect with others through shared experiences and gain confidence in their skills. Narrative interventions allow youth to make sense of their own stories and find meaning in them, leading to increased self-esteem, hope, and connection with others. These techniques can empower LGBTQ+ youth and give them the tools to handle adversity with grace and strength.
Mindfulness, creative arts, and narrative interventions have been found to be effective when used together or separately.
A study on college students found that those who participated in mindfulness activities were more likely to report improved emotional well-being, while another study on adolescents found that creative arts therapy was effective at reducing anxiety levels.
More research is needed to determine the best way to implement these techniques in real-world settings such as schools and communities. Teachers and counselors should be trained in these methods, and parents should be educated about how to support their LGBTQ+ children's resilience and emotional well-being.
These techniques are promising for improving the lives of LGBTQ+ youth, helping them build resilience and navigate difficult situations with ease and grace.
Can mindfulness, creative arts, and narrative interventions improve resilience and emotional well-being in LGBTQ+ youth?
Mindfulness techniques like meditation and yoga have been proven to be beneficial for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression in young people from all walks of life (Olson et al. , 2018; Kerr et al. , 2020).