With the school year ramping up, LGBTQIA+ youth may be facing challenges as they navigate their home, school, and social lives. Suicidal thoughts and behavior are seen at higher rates in LGBTQIA+ kids and teens, and it’s beneficial to know what to look out for.

In order to lower risk, enhance support, and foster resilience in LGBTQIA+ loved ones, PFLAG NYC will be hosting a Suicide Awareness Workshop led by our partner, Dr. Hannah Ellerkamp, on the following topics:

• Warning signs that may indicate triggers
• Challenges with family (issues of acceptance), school (bullying, peer pressure), and social life (loneliness, isolation, rejection, discrimination, trauma, and verbal, physical, and sexual violence)
• Co-existing medical and psychological disorders that may increase risk, like neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression
• Suicidal ideation, including as an adverse reaction to new psychiatric meds or increased dosage
• Self-diagnoses and self-medicating

The workshop will take place through Zoom and is free to attend.

[This event has passed, and registration is closed.]

Dr. Hannah Ellerkamp, PsyD (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in providing evidence-based treatments and gender-affirming psychotherapy for children/adolescents, young adults, and parents/caregivers. She has extensive experience using cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy and is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Hannah particularly enjoys partnering with gender-diverse youth and families to create supportive, affirming environments while navigating school, healthcare, and social settings. She draws from her extensive experience in child settings, including hospitals, community clinics, and private practice, as well as her specialized training in a gender clinic.

She can be contacted at [email protected]. Additional information can be found at https://drhannahellerkamp.com.