142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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A Game-Based Role Play Training Simulation for High School & Middle School Educators to Support LGBTQ Students

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 : 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM

Yolanda Jenkins, M.S. , Dvision of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Delaware Department of Services for Children, Wilmington, DE
Glenn Albright, PhD , Department of Psychology, Baruch College of the City University of New York, New York, NY
Lynn Davis, M.Ed. , Kognito, Kognito, TX
This presentation examines the impact of a game-based training simulation in preparing the State of Delaware high school and middle school educators and staff to better support students being harassed, bullied or excluded related to sexual identity, sexual orientation or other differences.  The training is designed to increase awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth and to build the skill and self-confidence to effectively intervene and discuss their concerns with a student who has been victimized.  The online learning experience involves users engaging in challenging role-play conversations with LGBTQ virtual students that have emotions and personality and will react like real people.  It is through practicing these role-plays that learners are able to better manage similar conversations in real life.

Longitudinal study results showed that educators reported statistically significant and sustained (p<.05) increases in knowledge about challenges facing LGBTQ students as well as preparedness and likelihood to 1) manage a classroom where derogatory language was used, 2) discuss concern with a LGBTQ student who is being teased, harassed or bullied, 3) connect that student to support services, 4) use gender-neutral language in the classroom. Users also reported significant increases in self-efficacy to discuss their concerns with an LGBTQ student that is being teased, harassed or bullied, and to help a LGBTQ student seek help if they are having thoughts of suicide.  At follow-up more than half of participants reported increases in the number of students they were concerned about and connected to support services.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Explain how role-play training simulations are being used to teach educators and staff how to create a safer and more supportive school environment for LGTBQ youth including those at risk for suicide and substance abuse.

Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Yolanda Jenkins has worked in the field of Health and Human Services for over 20 years from direct care to management. Ms. Jenkins holds a M.S. in Health Care Administration and currently serves as the Prevention and Substance Abuse Administrator for the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families. She co-directs both the Delaware’s suicide prevention program and the Garrett Lee Smith grant.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5177.0: Mental health and substance use among LGBT communities