LGBT People’s Well-being through Interest Sharing “Mastering wellness” LGBT People’s Well-being through Interest Sharing Ms. Nerilee Ceatha ceathan@tcd.ie Copyright Colin Purrington (http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign). Aims The consensus that LGBT people are at greater mental health risk1 is challenged as representing “them as victims-in-need-of-tolerance-and-inclusion”, or its defensive opposite “just like everyone else” 2. An alternative view places well-being within the context of interest sharing. Research with general populations on positive mental health explores social well-being through community involvement3. The lack of research on LGBT community involvement through interest sharing is puzzling given the dominant focus on mental health4. Key Messages Policy and practice frameworks promoting diversity can impact positively on LGBT well-being by: Building Healthy Public Policy The IDAHOT Declaration of Intent 6 should be implemented to ‘diversity proof’ legislation. Creating supportive environments Leadership at national, local and community levels should promote attitudes that foster diversity and ensure LGBT inclusivity. Strengthening community action The cultural and social capital embedded within LGBT networks should be recognised. Stakeholders should work in partnership with LGBT communities to identify LGBT-specific solutions promoting health-enhancing choices. Organisations should move beyond tolerance to promote diversity and difference. Developing personal skills The benefits of interest sharing with like-minded peers in mastering wellness should be promoted with LGBT communities and beyond. Reorienting services Services should promote holistic models and the breadth of LGBT experience rather than the dominant ‘at risk’ representation. Results Three themes emerge: Connecting Interest sharing provides opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and LGBT communities socially, for friendship, or when ‘coming out’. Mastering wellness Interest sharing is pivotal in developing an awareness of well-being as a resource for everyday living, creating balance and promoting mental health and self-esteem. Participants present as confident and comfortable discussing mental health. Making a difference Participants have a commitment to affecting change through contributing to the groups, LGBT communities and the wider society. Broader influences undermine LGBT well-being, particularly homonegative and heteronormative constraints including prejudice, stereotypes and presumed heterosexuality. The benefits are enormous…I am a much nicer person…a much happier person…[it] ticks all those boxes… keeps me healthy… gives me time to reflect – that’s the…private meditation and processing part. I think it’s important…as a part of a sense of self…to be a fully-rounded person…as part of your identity. Methods Aligning itself with emergent research trends, the study positions itself within the small body of research investigating LGBT social well-being and positive mental health. Qualitative methods in exploratory studies are considered particularly effective in researching areas that are under-researched or subject to misconceptions 5. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 people who self-identified as lesbian (5), gay (4), bisexual (1) or transgender (1). Diversity was prioritised regarding the breadth of LGBT sporting, creative, and social interests, within and outside the LGBT communities. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. That’s fantastic, that’s one of the best validation experiences…that makes me feel so awesome about [interest]…and so excited. Just makes me happy…Yeah, quite relaxing, calming…and…fulfilling as well…just being able to achieve something even small. I think tolerance is that you put up with it…it’s like ‘I don’t have much of a problem with it’…[rather than] actually embracing it and being supportive of somebody. Discussion LGBT people are active agents in mastering wellness on their own terms. Interest sharing within and outside LGBT groups promotes creativity and vitality. Participants simultaneously challenge the stigmatising representation of LGBT-identities and mental health as binary constructs of normal/abnormal. The discourse of tolerance within society constrains LGBT agency with the potential to negatively impact on well-being. The challenge is trying to change society…to be more just…and more diverse…whether that’s racially…or sexuality or gender – a thriving society is one that is diverse economically and creatively and socially generally. I realised you can do whatever you want. What interests you, you do it – nothing can stop you. The only limitation is your imagination. It’s only been in the past few years I’ve really felt good…felt of sound mind…when I realised I was gay, when I started getting into [my interest], learned a lot and met new people. Acknowledgements: Thanks to the 11 participants and the LGBT communities for your support, enthusiasm and encouragement with the dissertation for my Master of Science in Applied Social Research. Contact: Sunday…I call my mental health day…the day set aside for clearing my head…I deeply need that counterbalance. 1. e.g. Haas, A. P. et al. (2010). Suicide and suicide risk in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: review and recommendations. Journal of Homosexuality, 58(1), 10-51. 4. e.g. Bryan, A., & Mayock, P. (2012). Speaking back to dominant constructions of LGBT Lives: Complexifying ‘at riskness’ for self-harm and suicidality among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Irish Journal of Anthropology, 15(2), 8. 2. e.g. Marshall, D. (2010). Popular culture, the ‘victim’ trope and queer youth analytics. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 23(1), 65-85. 5. Smith, J., & Ravenhill, M. (2004). Undertaking Qualitative Research Amongst Homeless Populations in the UK–Contrasting Strategies. Retrieved: http://www.cuhp.org/admin/EditDocStore/WS4%20-%20Long%20-%20UK.pdf 3. e.g. Barry, M. et al. (2009). SLÁN 2007: Survey of lifestyle, attitudes and nutrition in Ireland: Mental health and social wellbeing report. Dublin: Department of Health and Children, The Stationery Office. 6. International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). (2014). Declaration of Intent. Retrieved: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PR14000118