Presenters and slide deck
Lisa Jeffs - Manager, Youth Wellness Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Jiya Chaudhary - Peer Support Worker, Youth Wellness Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Taylor Hatchard - Staff Psychologist, Youth Wellness Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Key Learnings
- Presenters’ study found that both transgender and gender non-conforming youth were significantly more likely to self-refer for mental health and addictions treatment, compared to cisgender youth.
- Agencies can do positive-space assessments to determine the extent to which they are queer/trans (QT) positive, including considering the following questions:
- Do they have visible indicators, including pride symbols and inclusive signage and bathrooms?
- Do they have QT representation on staff?
- Do they have programs/resources/activities that are QT-led and QT-centred?
- Do service providers share their own pronouns, ask youth about family involvement, and refrain from outing youth in waiting rooms or assuming their mental health concerns are associated with their identity?
- Do they take a stand on QT issues and actively partner with QT groups/agencies?
Quotes
“It isn’t being queer or trans that is inherently a risk factor, but rather the social experience of homophobia/transphobia itself.”
“Queer & trans experiences vary greatly and encompasses various additional identities. Understanding one person's experience doesn't mean we understand all.”
Contact Email of Presenters
Lisa Jeffs – ljeffs@stjosham.on.ca
Jiya Chaudhary – jchaudha@stjoes.ca
Taylor Hatchard – thachar@stjosham.on.ca