This project will provide a voice to a group of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people who have not been articulated within the Indigenous health agenda. Indigenous identity, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Asexual (LGBTQA+) identity, and being young are all associated with increased risk for poor social emotional wellbeing (SEWB) and mental health issues.

 

Despite the elevated risk, virtually nothing is known about the SEWB experiences of people who live at the intersection of these three vulnerable identities, that is, Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people. There has been no academic investigation of their SEWB, mental health and associated risk factors, let alone the format or content of appropriate protective and/or responsive mechanisms, supports and interventions.

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The significance of this study is that it will, for the first time, identify, document and build a nuanced understanding of the SEWB and mental health of Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people. The innovative outcomes will: a) build a set of measurable indicators that recognise and give meaning to Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people’s experience of their SEWB and mental health; and b) inform the development of an intervention strategy at multiple levels (e.g. individual, community, sectoral).

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Our team is multidisciplinary, spanning researchers from Aboriginal Health, Psychology, Sociology, and Education. We are always interested in collaborating with other researchers or teams. If you would like to find out more about collaboration please Contact Us.

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We are also able to supervise Honours, Masters and PhD projects across a variety of disciplines. If you are student interested in the project, please contact Ashleigh Lin at Ashleigh.Lin@telethonkids.org.au or Contact Us.