Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and MH

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

assigned at birth, biological construct based primarily on physical attributes such as chromosomes, genital and reproductive anatomy and hormones

Question 2

Intersex

Answer 2

a general term used for a variety of conditions n which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male

Question 3

Gender Identity

Answer 3

a person’s internal identification or self-image as male, female, something in between, or outside of the male/female binary
may or may not be consistent with sex assigned at birth
does not define sexual orientation or sexual behaviour

Question 4

List of Gender Identities

Answer 4

a. trans man or woman
b. transgender
c. transsexual
d. two-spirit
e. cis-gender
f. gender queer/fluid
g. male/masculine
h. female/feminine
i. intersex

Question 5

Transgender

Answer 5

describes a person whose gender identity and sex assigned at birth do not match

transgender person may know their gender identity at a very young age, 2-3 years old

transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or asexual

Question 6

Transsexual

Answer 6

term used by medical community to describe individuals who wish to alter their bodies to align with their gender identity

Question 7

Gender Expression

Answer 7

how individuals communicate their gender to others

can be fluid or even situational

Question 8

Gender Non-conforming

Answer 8

a person who does not subscribe to the gender expression or roles imposed by society

Question 9

Sexual Orientation

Answer 9

an intrinsic part of one’s self-identification with regards to emotional, physical, romantic, sexual and spiritual attraction, desire or affection for another

• falls on a spectrum
• asexual: people who are not attracted to men or women
• sexual orientation does not equal sexual practice or behaviour

Question 10

List of Sexual Orientations

Answer 10

a. homosexual
b. heterosexual
c. bisexual
d. gay, lesbian
e. pansexual
f. demisexual - attracted to personality and emotional connection
g. queer
h. fog, dyke

Question 11

SOGIE Scale

Answer 11

1. Sex assigned at birth
2. Gender Identity
3. Gender Expression
4. Sexual Orientation

Question 12

The Importance of Gender Pronouns

Answer 12

“What pronouns do you go by?”

• avoid making assumptions based on gender expression
• respect gender identity
• when wrong pronouns are used, individual may feel disrespected, invalidated, dismissed and alienated
• if mistake is made, acknowledge, apologize and move on

Question 13

Discrimination and MH

Answer 13

• heterosexism values heterosexuality as superior
• encourages prejudice, discrimination, harassment and acts of violence
• can be expressed at individual, organizational and program level of health service delivery

Question 14

Homophobia
Biphobia
Transphobia

Answer 14

irrational fear of or aversion to homosexuals, bisexuals and trans people
often expressed in negative attitudes and behaviour ranging from subtle exclusion to violence

Question 15

Coming Out

Answer 15

ongoing process by which LGBTQ+ individuals acknowledge and disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to themselves and others
not a linear process, occurs in different stages

Question 16

Gender Transition

Answer 16

period during which trans people begin changing their appearance, names and/or bodies to match their internal identity, no single journey, no end goal

Question 17

Implications of Coming Out and Gender Transition

Answer 17

increased risk of

• drug and alcohol use
• feelings of suicidality, anxiety and depression

but emotional health may improve for some people who feel more of who they are
the process is complicated and long

Question 18

Supporting LGBTQ+

Answer 18

• provide information about community resources and groups to connect with others
• recognize that not all clients can/want to stop, harm reduction for addiction
• normalize difficult feelings or confusion
• help identify alternative ways to cope

Question 19

Health disparities for LGBTQ+ individuals

Answer 19

• depression, anxiety
• suicide, violence
• cancer, CVD, obesity
• substance abuse, STIs, HIV/AIDS
• homelessness
• stigmatization, marginalization, discrimination
• homophobia in healthcare system
• pathologizing identity
• time with HCP reduced due to need of educating HCP

Question 20

Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)

Answer 20

intervention to address stigma at the intrapersonal and interpersonal levels
uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies to increase psychological flexibility and foster self-awareness, compassion for self and others

Question 21

Contact-based Empowerment Education (CEE)

Answer 21

addresses social stigma through critical dialogue and collaborative learning to improve knowledge about mental health and illness, reduce stigma and promote community engagement
involves direct encounters with people living with MI and caregivers, interactive learning that facilitate deeper understanding of the issues

Question 22

Basic Learning Sequence

Answer 22

A set of interrelated skills used to achieve 3 overarching goals

1. To obtain an overall summary and understanding of the client’s presenting issue
2. To identify the key facts of the client’s situation
3. To identify the core emotions and feelings the client is experiencing

Skills include:

a. open questions
b. encourager - build on positive and strengths
c. paraphrase - confirm understanding
d. reflect feeling - validate experience, proof that we are listening
e. summary - clarity or take conversation in a different direction