Investigating the impacts of COVID-19 among LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness

Abstract

Background LGBTQ2S youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness and experience significantly higher rates of mental health issues compared to heterosexual and cisgender youth. COVID-19 related challenges for LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness remain unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ2S youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada and surrounding areas. Methods Utilizing a mixed-methods convergent parallel design, LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness were recruited to participate in virtual surveys and in-depth one-on-one interviews. Surveys included standardized measures and were administered to measure mental health outcomes and collect information on demographic characteristics, and health service use. Survey data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and statistical tests for difference of proportions. Interviews were analyzed using an iterative thematic content approach. Results Sixty-one youth completed surveys and 20 youth participated in one-on-one interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data showed that youth have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in various ways, including experiencing poor mental health, such as suicidality, depression, anxiety, and increased substance use, and lack of access to health and social support services. Conclusion Our study highlights the need for LGBTQ2S inclusive and affirming health care and support services for precariously housed adolescents to address the pre-existing social and health issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Urgent care and suicidal behavior in the child and adolescent population in a psychiatric emergency department in a Spanish province during the two COVID-19 states of alarm

“… 24 Although we have not shown an increase in institutionalized adolescents or those at risk of social exclusion, some authors have pointed out the special vulnerability of specific groups. 25 …”

“I feel like I’m in a revolving door, and COVID has made it spin a lot faster”: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Canada

“…Staff also expressed concerns about youth that identify as 2SLGBTQ+ as they were faced with reduced access to affirming communities and social supports and thus experienced increased feelings of isolation. Service providers must be particularly vigilant in providing outreach and support to youth that identify as 2SLGBTQ+ as research has shown that 2SLGBTQ+ young people are more likely to experience mental health distress, including depression suicidal ideation [ 41 , 42 ] and that these concerns have become particularly acute during the pandemic [ 22 , 43 ]. For instance, Abramovich et al [ 22 ] found that in their sample of 92 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the Greater Toronto Area, the vast majority reported experiencing severe anxiety, moderate to severe depression, and increased loneliness as a result of the pandemic.…”

“…Research on transgender and gender-diverse youth during the pandemic found higher rates of adverse mental health compared to young people who are cisgender, as well as greater difficulty accessing services and family supports [ 14 ]. Looking at the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ youth more broadly in a mixed-methods study with 61 youth that identified as 2SLGBTQ+, the majority of whom were precariously housed or homeless, the authors reported high rates of poor mental health, presence of non-suicidal self-harm behaviours, increased substance use and suicidal ideation related to the pandemic [ 22 ]. An alarming thirty-six percent of study participants reported attempting suicide since the start of the pandemic.…”

Understanding the Health and Health-Related Social Needs of Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Photovoice Study

“…533–543), [ 8 ] (pp. 773–782); polytrauma and abuse [ 9 ] (p. 16), [ 10 ] (p. 216), [ 11 ] (pp. 894–910), [ 12 ] (pp.…”