Trauma informed care to Promote Mental Health Equity for ACB LGBTQIA+ Community
The aim of this project is to address the counselling mental health needs of African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) 2SLGBTQI+ community members who are experiencing mental health issues. Community members will be supported through a range of program activities, including one-to-one supports, brief solution focused supports and referrals; as well as group programming to address mental health and Harm reduction, which will be complemented by peer-based supports. This project builds on existing evidenced-based trauma models to deliver trauma-informed services in an environment where service users do not experience further (re)traumatization, and where they can make decisions about their mental health and HIV-related needs at a pace that feels safe to them. The goal is to strengthen a trauma-informed model of care that is responsive to the needs and lived experience of ACB populations that can be scaled up.
Lead organization: Black Coalition for Aids Prevention
WHO
African, Caribbean and Black individuals who also identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
WHAT
Objectives
The goal is to strengthen a trauma-informed model of care that is responsive to the needs and lived experience of ACB populations.
HOW
The program provides a combination of activities including:
- One-to-one supports
- Brief solution-focused supports and referrals
- Group programming to address mental health and problematic substance use
- Peer-based supports
WHERE
Settings
- Online
- Community
Implementation sites
- Toronto (Greater Toronto Area)
WHY
- COVID-related isolation had a severe impact on HIV+ folks
- There was insufficient or scarce programming for HIV+ ACB queer female identifying and non-binary community members
In the words of the project team members
“We’re trying to reach out to more queer black women and non-binary people. We’re trying to reach out to more HIV positive people. We just want to bring everybody in the space together with a community where all of their intersectionalities don’t matter because everyone in the space would be the same.”
Key protective factors
- Cultural connectedness and identity
- Self-determination
- Identity/belonging
- Social and emotional skills
- Access to health and support services
Key approaches
- Community
- Trauma-informed