2SLGBTQIA+

Although Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA) people are as diverse as the general Canadian population in their experiences of mental health and well-being, they face higher risks for some mental health issues due to the effects of discrimination and the social determinants of health. This list of supports is by no means exhaustive but it is a place to start. If we are missing something you know about, please feel free to email activities.shcc@lakeheadu.ca

  • Rainbow Health Ontario has developed a fact sheet about LGBTQ Mental Health.
  • 2spirits.com- provides prevention education and support for 2-Spirit, including First Nations, metis and Inuit people living with or at risk for HIV and related co-infections in the Greater Toronto Area. Their work is based on indigenous philosophies of wholistic health and wellness.
  • It Gets Better Campaign – In response to publicized suicides by LGBT youth, author Dan Savage initiated the It Gets Better campaign (http://www.itgetsbetter.org) through which supportive LGBT people and allies share supportive messages through online videos.
  • Kids Help Phone – Children and youth ages 5 to 20 can speak with trained counsellors at Kids Health Phone (1-800-668-6868).
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans Youthline – The Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans Youthline offers free peer support for youth aged 26 and under (1-800-268-9688).
  • Goodhead.ca is for guys into guys (G2G) — gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, two-spirit, gender queer, gender non-binary, trans, and other guys who are sexually and/or romantically interested in other guys. It’s a place for G2G to learn and get curious about the mental health issues affecting them and their communities and to help them locate mental health services in Ontario.
  • Parents, Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) – PFLAG (www.pflagcanada.ca) is a resource for LGBT people and their families.
  • AFFIRM- A CBT-based group for LBGTQ+ youth and adults to learn stress coping skills, and meet other LGBTQ+ youth and adults in your area.
  • Trans Lifeline- A national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives and fighting the epidemic of trans suicide. We are based in the US but do have a suicide hotline that is available to folks in Canada (1-877-330-6366)
  • Autostraddle-An online community and magazine for lesbian, bisexual and otherwise identifying people and their friends.
  • Lesbian R*pe Crisis Information-Database of resources and online forums for survivors of sexualized violence. Specifically targeted at lesbian folks, with a small focus on bisexual folks as well.
  • Queerantine 101: All of your COVID-19 LGBTQI2S Resources in one place!