Delivering free and low-cost counselling to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
For the past five months, Just Us intern Nat Young has been delivering free mental health counselling to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 10 to 24 every Friday at the Teen Resource Centre. Through our community partnership with Chroma, a non-profit focusing on advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the Menahqesk / Saint John Region, we’ve been able to provide 40 free and low-cost counselling sessions to youth in need of mental health support.
As someone with lived experience in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Nat was the ideal intern to deliver counselling services to this group.
“I am visibly and openly queer and I really wanted to work with queer individuals,” Nat reflects. “When I came on board for my internship, Just Us had just started discussing a partnership with Chroma and so it was a great fit.”
For people in the queer community, it can be especially valuable to connect with someone who shares similar experiences as them. This might mean finding a therapist that visibly signals their queerness.
“There’s a feeling of safety when you’re with someone who shares in your experiences and your community,” says Nat. “We understand the language and verbiage, are knowledgeable on queer culture and history, and have a solid understanding of the political climate.”
Nat says most of the clients she’s seen are those looking specifically for a queer therapist, and that there’s been a lot of demand due to its low cost. The first three sessions are 100% free and subsequent sessions are just $20 each.
For those who don’t have insurance, counselling can be expensive, and government services are limited, especially for the queer community.
“I’m seeing a lot of young adults struggling with gender transition and they’re frustrated around a lack of trans health care services. Talking about these issues with a fellow queer therapist can be helpful.”
Counselling for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is especially important because it provides a safe and supportive space to address the unique challenges and issues they may face related to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
According to Stats Canada, nearly 30% of 2SLGBTQIA+ people reported their mental health to be fair or poor, compared with fewer than 10% of non-2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. And 54% transgender or non-binary people are over five times as likely as cisgender people to consider their mental health to be fair or poor.
“One of the common challenges I see being experienced by queer youth is the anxiety and stress when it comes to presenting as their authentic selves. This fear can stem from past experiences of discrimination, rejection, or harassment based on their identity. The potential of being perceived or confronted negatively can be a source of significant stress. This is only exacerbated by societal stigma and lack of understanding. There is a real fear of being harmed or confronted for one’s queerness and this is true for myself at times.”
Tailored mental health support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is crucial in addressing the higher rates of mental health issues and suicide within this group. By providing specific coping mechanisms and resources, 2SLGBTQIA+ counselling fosters mental well-being, self-affirmation and a sense of belonging. This is especially important for a community that has long faced discrimination and stigmatization.
To access free youth counselling, book an appointment.
Interested in exploring a community partnership with Just Us? Contact us today!
Just Us is a charity that aims to reduce barriers to mental health access through in-person and online therapy in New Brunswick to anyone in need.