1. LGBT Inclusion: Well-being through Interest Sharing
Nerilee Ceatha, SW Team Leader, Tusla, Child and Family Agency
05/11/2015

2. Every interest over the rainbow...

3. SLÁN 2007 Quality of life Meaningful social connectedness
Social support
Community involvement

4. LGBT mental health research focus
paucity of research on LGBT social well-being through community involvement
30 years of research
vast body of literature
consensus of mental health risk

5. Timeline

7. Exploratory qualitative research
11 people L(5), G(4), B(1) T(1)
aged 22 – 56
7 in relationships, 3 have children
9 Irish, 1 European, 1 North American
10 completed 3rd level ed’n

8. 31 groups (LGBT/non)
Physical: athletics, mountaineering, roller derby, rugby
Creative: acting, art, choir, writing
Social: dining, MeetUp

9. interests
central
huge
integral

10. Interests
“I think it’s important…as a part of a sense of self…to be a fully- rounded person…as part of your identity.” (Lesbian, 27)

11. peer support
like-minded
on a par
same wavelength

12. Peer support network
“Being able to engage with my own creativity on my terms.” (Lesbian, 43)

13. Emerging themes
connecting
mastering wellness
making a difference

14. Mastering wellness Open, confident and comfortable Awareness
Breadth of well-being
Creating balance
Promoting self-esteem

15. Participants’ self-descriptions

16. Awareness
It’s only been in the past few years I’ve really felt good…felt of sound mind, basically – when I realised I was gay, when I started getting into [interest], learned a lot and met new people. (Gay, 22)

17. Breadth of well-being
Just makes me happy…Yeah, quite relaxing, calming…and fulfilling as well. (Lesbian, 32)
[It’s] good for you…good for your emotions, good for your soul; [sharing interest] in a group is very, let’s say, therapeutic. (Lesbian, 36)

18. Breadth of well-being
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. (Gay, 46)

19. Creating balance
Sunday…I call my ‘Mental Health Day’ – the day set aside for clearing my head…I tend to go out with [group]…I deeply need that counterbalance. (Lesbian, 53)

20. Promoting self-esteem
“It does build a sense of esteem because people are very appreciative and you constantly get good feedback.” (Gay, 56)

21. Vitality
“That’s fantastic, that’s one of the best validation experiences…that makes me feel so awesome about [interest]…and so excited.” (Transgender, 28)

22. Vitality
“I realised…you can do whatever…you want. What interests you, you do it – nothing can stop you. The only limitation is your imagination.” (Gay, 23)

23. Thank you!