Stratford-Perth Pride is partnering with Jennifer Jennings RP, MA, CCC (they/she) to conduct the ‘Queer-Safe Mental Health Survey’ on the comfort or ability of mental health providers in Stratford, St. Marys, and Perth County to support 2SLGBTQIA+ clients.

A common question Stratford-Perth Pride is asked is, “Who are 2SLGBTQIA+ safe therapists in the area?” And we rarely know how to answer that question.

As many of you know, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community faces discrimination from various avenues, including the medical and mental health systems. There have been members of the Perth County 2SLGBTQIA+ community who voiced dissatisfaction with their therapists because of the therapist’s biases or lack of education on 2SLGBTQIA+ needs, or common overlapping communities.

Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are at a higher risk of mental health difficulties, suicidal ideations, attempting or dying by suicide, addictions, employment difficulties, medical support rejections, abuse, assault, murdered, and being unhoused than many other communities. There is an additional risk if that person is BIPOC.

The safety of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is a priority for Stratford-Perth Pride and Jennifer Jennings. Therefore, we are conducting the Queer-Safe Mental Health Survey.

We will be to creating a directory of mental health specialists who; openly identify as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, allies, have knowledge about queer culture and needs, overlapping communities, and believe they can appropriately support 2SLGBTQIA+ clients.

If you do not wish to take part in the survey, that is fine. If you cannot support 2SLBTQIA+ clients, please let us know.

Please let us know if you want to support 2SLGBTQIA+ clients but feel you need more education. We will try to answer questions or point you in the right direction for resources. If a desire and need is there, we could hold a workshop in the future for mental health specialists on 2SLGBTQIA+ needs.