About AFfirmative Research

What We do

Help improve the mental health of the LGBTQ+ community

Affirmative Research engages in innovative research and provides training and consultation to behavioral health professionals with the goal of improving the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, etc.) youth and young adults.

WHY WE DO IT

To create a safer world for LGBTQ+ populations

Affirmative Research was created to bridge the research-practice divide associated with the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Combining empirical evidence, an affirmative practice framework, and decades of community-based service expertise, Affirmative Research aims to develop and disseminate LGBTQ+ affirmative practices to educators, health and mental health care providers, social workers, and policymakers across organizations and communities to create safe supportive worlds for LGBTQ+ populations. Affirmative Research’s current affirmative research initiatives also include inquiries aimed at improving social work education and health and mental health practice more broadly.

HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO

Empower, mentor, and coach LGBTQ+ young people

Affirmative Research uses the five following strategies to advance LGBTQ+ youth and young adult well-being:

• Engage in creative, youth-centered research designed to enhance and develop LGBTQ+ young people’s resilience

• Utilize technological innovations to promote LGBTQ+ young people’s empowerment

• Develop, implementing, and disseminating research-informed, affirmative prevention and intervention programs to reduce risk and enhance the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ young people

• Deliver individualized research and clinical training and consultation to enhance the delivery of affirming and supportive care for LGBTQ+ young people and support practitioner and organizational competence

• Provide mentoring and coaching to nurture burgeoning researchers whose work is focused on promoting LGBTQ+ young people’s wellbeing