Exploring Sexual Identity and Mental Health- A Culturally Competent Approach for Bisexual Individuals
Two significant issues that can be anticipated while guiding mental health awareness, as well as healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents, are discussed extensively. First, it is very important to create mental health awareness because of fatigue, irritability, and frustration on a daily basis (Søvold et al., 2021). The client could also benefit from being informed on why it is necessary to seek help when coping with emotional issues. This may include talking about the accessibility of counseling programs in and out of schools. Moreover, highlighting the importance of engaging in open communication with trusted people like friends and family may be vital to the client’s mental health (Hagan et al., 2017).
Additionally, healthy lifestyle decisions should be addressed, including the unintended over-weighting of the patient, poor eating habits, depression, and other mental problems (van der Velde et al., 2019). Anticipatory guidance may include explaining the importance of nutrition, routine exercise, and quality sleep for the general welfare of both the body and the mind. Promoting positive body image and highlighting self-care would likely improve the client’s health.
In case the client was to reveal that she was bisexual, the advice would still be nearly similar. Adolescence presents universal challenges that are independent of sexual orientation when it comes to managing mental health and leading a healthy life. Nevertheless, there could be a need to provide a conducive environment with the client assured that being bisexual does not preclude one from seeking mental health or health services.
In conclusion, anticipatory guidance in this adolescent time should be on mental health issues of understanding a fit lifestyle that offers practical assistance for these adolescent qualities. Notably, healthcare guidance must recognize and respect different sexual orientations as part of creating an accepting atmosphere for care.
References
Hagan, J., Shaw, J., & Duncan, P., eds. (2017). Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4th ed). American Academy of Pediatrics. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Bright%20Futures/BF4_POCKETGUIDE.pdf?_ga=2.259603594.l 03561403.1 681609940-l 723992515.1678139632
Søvold, L. E., Naslund, J. A., Kousoulis, A. A., Saxena, S., Qoronfleh, M. W., Grobler, C., & Münter, L. (2021). Prioritizing the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers: An urgent global public health priority. Frontiers in Public Health, 9(1), 1–12. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.679397/full
van der Velde, L. A., Schuilenburg, L. A., Thrivikraman, J. K., Numans, M. E., & Kiefte-de Jong, J. C. (2019). Needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating among people at risk of food insecurity: a qualitative analysis. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1077-0