Empowering young LGBTQIA+ folks in the City of Kingston, through contextualised Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
The City of Kingston partnered with the Mental Health Coach to deliver Rainbow Mental Health First Aid training to support young LGBTQIA+ individuals and frontline council staff. This initiative was part of Kingston Youth Services’ commitment to fostering safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ young people.
Background:
The City of Kingston partnered with the Mental Health Coach to deliver Rainbow Mental Health First Aid training to support young LGBTQIA+ individuals and frontline council staff. This initiative was part of Kingston Youth Services’ commitment to fostering safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth through their queer social programs, Queer in Kingston (ages 12–17) and Pride Connect (ages 18–25). The training aimed to provide young people and council workers with the tools to better understand and address mental health challenges within the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Project:
With funding allocated by the City of Kingston, the Mental Health Coach delivered tailored mental health first aid training contextualized for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Participants included young people from Kingston’s social programs, as well as council staff from youth services, libraries, and community connections teams. The training focused on equipping participants with peer-to-peer education skills, fostering better communication, and creating a network of allies and professionals to support LGBTQIA+ individuals. The structured, inclusive approach ensured participants felt safe, heard, and empowered to have challenging conversations about mental health.
Impact:
The training had a profound impact on both the young people and council staff who attended. Participants reported increased confidence in addressing mental health issues and having difficult conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. Young people appreciated the opportunity to share lived experiences and connect with council workers, while council staff gained valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth. The training also sparked ongoing discussions about mental health within the workplace, particularly prioritizing the safety and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals in service delivery.
Feedback:
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in further training opportunities. Young people shared how the training empowered them to support their peers, while council staff highlighted the value of integrating mental health awareness into their daily interactions with the community. The City of Kingston emphasized the importance of involving young people in such initiatives, as it provided a platform for connection, understanding, and meaningful change.
Conclusion:
The partnership between the City of Kingston and the Mental Health Coach demonstrated the transformative impact of tailored mental health first aid training. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and mental health awareness, the initiative strengthened support networks for LGBTQIA+ individuals and encouraged lasting changes in council practices.
The City of Kingston highly recommends similar training for other workplaces and communities and looks forward to future collaborations with the Mental Health Coach.
