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androgyny
no distinction between male and female
asexual
people who experience little to no sexual attraction to any gender
assigned sex
category, typically male or female, that is assigned to an individual at birth based on physical and biological characteristics, such as genitalia and chromosomes
bisexual/pansexual
attracted to more than one gender or any gender
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
commitment to recognizing and embracing differences, ensuring fairness, and fostering a sense of belonging for all individuals in order to create a more equitable and enriched nursing profession and health-care system
exploitation
different ways in which traffickers financially benefit from their victims’ labor or sexual services
flattening the curve
public health strategy aimed at slowing the spread of a contagious disease, like COVID-19, to ensure that the health-care system can manage the capacity
force
physical or psychological violence used to control victims, including threats, abuse, or confinement
gender identity
individual’s deeply held sense of their gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned to them at birth
heterosexual
attracted to the opposite sex or gender
homeless
lacking a stable, safe, and adequate place to live
housing instability
state of uncertainty or vulnerability in one’s housing situation, characterized by frequent moves, risk of eviction, difficulty paying rent or mortgage, or a lack of stable, secure housing
human trafficking
illegal trade of people, typically for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation, using coercion, fraud, or force
marginalization
exclusion, discrimination, and denial of rights
minority stress
unique stressors and adverse mental health outcomes experienced by individuals in marginalized and stigmatized groups
motivational interviewing (MI)
client-centered approach that aims to enhance an individual’s intrinsic motivation to change their behavior
nonbinary
people, also known as genderqueer, genderfluid, or agender, who do not exclusively identify as male or female and may have a gender identity that falls outside the traditional binary understanding of gender
queer
term that can encompass various nonheteronormative sexual orientations and gender identities
recovery housing
supportive and substance-free living environment that offers individuals recovering from substance use disorders a structured and safe living space
secondary trauma
where health-care providers experience symptoms similar to those of trauma survivors, including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance
serious mental illness (SMI)
mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders that significantly impair an individual’s ability to carry out major life activities and engage in social, occupational, or educational roles
third gender
separate gender apart from male or female
Transgender
individuals who have a gender identity that differs from their assigned sex
two spirit
incorporating qualities of both binary genders, sometimes used by Indigenous people
unsheltered
individuals experiencing homelessness who lack any form of shelter, such as living on the streets, in cars, or in other places not meant for human habitation
vicarious trauma
emotional toll that exposure to the trauma of others can have on health-care providers
vulnerability
ability to be harmed or influenced
wellness coaching
collaborating with the client to set achievable goals related to their mental and emotional well-being
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