Understanding and Responding to the Impact of Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges on LGBTQ+ Youth - February 26, 2026
Includes a Live Web Event on 02/26/2026 at 12:00 PM (EST)
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- Learners - $40
A 3-Hour Training with Tony Leone & Wendy Kent, M.A., LADC1, CPS
Virtual via Zoom | 12:00pm-3:15pm
Presentation: This interactive training will focus on providing available data and anecdotal information related to both mental health and substance misuse related risks among LGBTQIA+ youth and how these concerns manifest themselves in symptomology and behavior, addressing the negative impact of stigma that reduces the likelihood of seeking help, all in the process of enhancing the capacity to mentor and support youth. Attention will also be focused on addressing the needs and struggles of the parents of LGBTQIA+ youth who are sometimes forgotten in the process. In addition, we intend to inform participants about the types of service resources available, including developing an understanding of different levels of care as well as openly discussing challenges with access and strategies for reducing service barriers. We will also share the role that prevention and early intervention can be used to mitigate risk factors for youth and families and include specific information about available service resources and existing substance use prevention initiatives in New Hampshire. This approach will serve to encourage community wide collaboration to address the risk factors addressed in this training.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth;
- List mental health and substance use related risk factors among youth in general, and specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth;
- Identify available resources, including challenges with access;
- Explain the supports and needs of parents/guardians of LGBTQIA+ youth; and
- Demonstrate awareness of the role of prevention in reducing risk for substance misuse and mental health issues.
3 Contact Hours Available
CRSW Performance Domains: 1-4
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 5-7 & 12-18
Certified Prevention Specialist Domains: 2 & 6
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category A) & Psychologist (Category A)
NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
This course has been approved by New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #23792, NHADACA is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Wendy Kent, M.A., LADC1, CPS
Consultant
Wendy earned her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford in 1982. She became a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in 2004 and a Certified Prevention Specialist in 2014. She worked in addiction-based services for youth and adults for 40 years, providing direct care as well as serving as a clinical supervisor and program manager in a variety of treatment settings including detox, long term residential, and outpatient care. Since 2003, she has also worked in the field of substance use prevention focusing on a number of priority areas including prevention for youth, prevention of prescription drug misuse, and opioid use/overdose prevention. For the past five years, she has worked exclusively as a consultant in substance use prevention, coordinating state grants in Massachusetts focused on youth, young adults, and early childhood. This work has involved creating and managing community-based coalitions, developing relationships with multiple community partners, and strategic planning and implementation. Much of her work in prevention has focused on ensuring support for the needs of diverse populations and those at highest risk for mental health and substance related challenges.
Tony Leone
Program Director
NAGLY
Tony Leone (he/him) is the program director at NAGLY the North Shore Alliance of LGBTQ+ youth in Salem MA, serving youth and young adults from over 37 communities just north of Boston. Tony received his undergrad at Salem State University in Psychology and a masters in mental health counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. Tony has been in the education and human services field working with youth and young adults for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys teaching and practicing yoga and loves the outdoors!