This Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded project explores experiences of mental health crisis, interactions with crisis services, and perspectives on medical assistance in dying for mental illness (MAID-MI) among a population of 2S/LGBTQ+ Atlantic Canadians.
The goals are:
i) to highlight diverse voices to understand how interactions with crisis services are experienced and/or perceived by 2S/LGBTQ+ folks in Atlantic Canada;
ii) to learn how to improve these services; and
iii) to understand how the legalization of MAID-MI might impact these services.
There is currently very little research on how 2S/LGBTQ+ people choose to access (or not access) crisis services, and what their experiences are when accessing them. Suicide and mental illness disproportionately impact 2S/LGBTQ+ people, particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour, disabled, trans or non-binary, or multiply marginalized, and greater engagement with 2S/LGBTQ+ people is necessary to understand how we can improve services.
This research arose from lived experience of the lack of safe, non-carceral crisis services for queer folks in the Atlantic region, and specifically for multiply marginalized queer folks. The study is led by Jay Tang, a queer/trans mentally ill POC from PEI, and research design was guided by a community advisory group of queer/trans folks in Atlantic Canada with mental illness.
Eligibility
Individuals are eligible for this study if they fill the following criteria:
- Are 19 years of age or older
- Identify as 2S/LGBTQ+
- Have ever experienced a mental health crisis while living in Atlantic Canada
- Have some knowledge of MAID in Canada
- Are able to communicate and understand English
- Are currently living in Canada
OR
- Are 19 years of age or older
- Have ever supported a 2S/LGBTQ+ person experiencing a mental health crisis while living in Atlantic Canada
- Have some knowledge of MAID in Canada
- Are able to communicate and understand English
- Are currently living in Canada
Time Commitment
Participation will include: the initial eligibility survey (which will take approximately 1-5 minutes), a questionnaire about demographics and accessibility (which will take approximately 15 minutes), and an virtual, phone, or live chat interview that will last approximately 1-2 hours, with breaks if needed.
Compensation
Honoraria will be provided.