Defining Community for LGBTQ People with a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder
This is a longitudinal, mixed-methods study exploring the experiences, beliefs, behaviors, and places that constitute community participation for LGBTQ2S+ people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychosis.
Background:
Sexual and gender minority individuals with mental health concerns are amongst the most marginalized individuals in North American society. They face high levels of stigma as a function of their being a sexual or gender minority and their having mental health concerns. Many also face discrimination in consumer-survivor and LGBTQ2S+-positive contexts where individuals with a single primary stigmatized identity might find social refuge. The challenges that these individuals experience are exacerbated by a lack of attention in research and clinical commentaries. It is a paucity of research that has persisted despite (i) estimates of up to a half a million LGBTQ2S+ persons with mental health concerns in the United States, (ii) 25 years of repeated calls for inquiry in the area and, (iii) a large body of research highlighting the mental and physical health disparities of sexual and gender minority persons.
Team Members:
Sean Kidd
Meg Howison
Merrick Pilling
Lori Ross (Co-Investigator)
Main Contact:
Funding Source:
National Institute of Mental Health (US)
Project Outcomes:
Reimagining Inclusion, a video co-created with research participants