Dana M. Prince, associate professor, has received an from the to launch a new, innovative program aimed at supporting sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) at risk of suicide, particularly those involved in public systems like juvenile justice and child welfare. The initiative, called Youth Empowerment and Safety Intervention (YES), will test a new approach to supporting these youth by pairing them with Peer Support Specialists (PSS)—individuals with lived experience who provide understanding, emotional support and guidance.
YES focuses on two key goals:
- Identifying and referring at-risk SGMY in juvenile justice and child welfare programs, where SGMY are most often found, and;
- Referral to affirming peer support specialists located at FrontLine Service.
The program will provide affirming, culturally sensitive care, addressing the unique challenges SGMY face, including stigma and discrimination. By offering peer support and reducing mistrust in the system, YES aims to improve mental health engagement and reduce suicide risks.
The project will begin with a pilot phase to assess whether the intervention is feasible and acceptable to the systems and the youth themselves. Specifically, the team will evaluate:
- How well the program works in real-world settings, such as juvenile justice and child welfare;
- Whether the PSS are able to engage SGMY in much-needed mental health services; and
- Whether the program can help reduce feelings of stress, isolation and thoughts of suicide among the youth it serves.
This grant is the next step in Prince's years of dedicated work alongside local organizations in Cleveland, including the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, Division of Children and Family Services, FrontLine Services, the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland and Colors+ Counseling Services.
The initiative is part of a larger national push to reduce suicide among vulnerable youth and to ensure mental health services are accessible and inclusive for all. By providing SGMY with affirming care, specialized support and connections to peers who understand their experiences, Prince and her team hope to create a model that can be replicated in other communities, helping to save lives and improve the well-being of these young people.
Co-investigators on the project include Aaron Blashill, San Diego State University, Peter Hovmand, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ School of Medicine, Michelle Munson, NYU, and Megan Schuler, RAND Corporation.