Erin Fredericks and Nathan Thompson
We've Survived Before: An Intergenerational, LGBTQ+ Youth- Led Response to COVID-19
To address the 2SLGBTQI+ community’s higher rates of mental health challenges due to social marginalization, this research project aimed to identify the mental health needs of 2SLGBTQI+ youth during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. A social belonging program was developed for 2SLGBTQI+ youth based on resiliency skills learned from 2SLGBTQI+ members who lived through the AIDS epidemic (1980-1990 and beyond) (named “elders”). This youth-led mental health intervention promoted intergenerational connections within the 2SLGBTQI+ community, creating a sense of community and community resilience to help them navigate difficult times.
Methodology
In phase 1 of the study, the researchers conducted video-recorded interviews of 5 2SLGBTQI+ NB-based “elders” who lived through the AIDS epidemic. “Elder” participants reflected on the community strengths that supported their resilience through this difficult time. A small group of queer, trans, and non-binary youth aged 18-20 were then recruited to form a youth leadership team and attend 5 virtual workshops. In these workshops, community health needs and strengths of these youth were identified through open discussions. Youth also learned about 2SLGBTQI+ “elders” and their experiences living through the AIDS epidemic to further resilience as a community. In phase 2, two groups of queer, trans, and non-binary youth aged 15-17 were recruited through a school system and attended a 4-week belonging and mental health program.
Findings
During the pandemic, the 2SLGBTQI+ community reported being 3 times more likely to attempt self-harm and resort to cannabis use as a coping mechanism.
Compared to the “elders” in this study, youth members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community felt less connected to their communities in terms of belonging and support.
This study found that there is a need for community-based practices for mental health to promote community connection for 2SLGBTQI+ youth as they suffered worsening mental health during and post-pandemic.
Impact
In 2021, the project received national spotlight as it became an exclusive article on Canada’s national public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/erin-fredericks-sociology-lgbtq-generation-gap-1.5914587).
The researchers also presented this project to important policy makers in New Brunswick such as Members of the Legislative Assembly and Deputy Ministers.
This research project resulted in the creation of a mental health and belonging program curriculum to help adults in urban and rural areas running a queer, trans and non-binary group across the country to teach community resilience. The program consisted of workshops and lesson plans.
At the time of completion, the researchers were in the early stages of developing a school-program version for use across Canada.
Project outreach
The project was based in New Brunswick and resources generated from the projects have been accessed by community members across Canada and in five countries.
Resources created
Academic articles and presentations are forthcoming
Three conference panels were hosted.
A research Zine was created and posted on social media.
Video interviews with 2SLGBTQI+ elders to teach community resilience were made available for open and free access.
Developed mental health and belonging programs including a series of workshops and lesson plans (available at www.imaginingfutures.ca/weve-survived-before.html)
MHRC Spotlight on Research Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vz7nHf05zM
