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What is MindMapBC?
MindMapBC was created by The Roundtable: BC’s 2S/LGBTQ Mental Health & Substance Use Networking Space. We were motivated by research showing that 2S/LGBTQ people experience a higher burden of mental health and substance use concerns, relative to cisgender and heterosexual peers, and specific barriers to accessing mental health supports--such as fear of encountering anti-2S/LGBTQ attitudes among providers. We also heard from primary care providers across a variety of disciplines and settings that they wanted help identifying mental health referral options that were known to be 2S/LGBTQ affirming.
How can I work toward health equity for 2S/LGBTQ people?
Community pharmacists play an important role in ensuring equitable delivery of primary care. MindMapBC is a new tool that can be used by pharmacists to connect patients with low-barrier, low-cost, and 2S/LGBTQ -affirming mental health service.
MindMapBC allows users (patients or providers) to search a database of over 100 mental health services that are 2S/LGBTQ-affirming, and the database includes comprehensive and varied mental health care services available to individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities, who are in need of support. Users can narrow their search by geography (using a map or city name), cost, type of service (e.g., individual counselling, support groups), formats (telehealth, online), languages, and features (e.g., 2S/LGBTQ-affirming). Our database is growing day by day, and users have the option of suggesting new services that should be added or updates to existing service listings.
A provider resource directory is available to make spaces more affirming of 2S/LGBTQ people.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE?Please send us an email if you have suggestions to improve and expand the work at MindMapBC : [email protected] Please join The Roundtable if you would like to connect with other service providers, community leaders, and researchers dedicated to mental health equity for 2S/LGBTQ people. |
Case Example
JP, a 38-year-old non-binary individual, presents to your pharmacy for a dose increase of their escitalopram to 20mg po qAM for 90 days. JP presents as tense, and reports that they “have not slept in days”. Per a new prescription for combination HAART on PharmaNet, JP has recently been diagnosed with HIV. JP reports that while their depression was previously well managed, their new chronic disease diagnosis has adversely affected their mental health. They are interested in counselling services but are hesitant that they may not be sensitive to 2S/LGBTQ issues and worry a safe space will not be available.
Response: Pharmacists are experts at working with patients from unique personal backgrounds and many have access to a private counselling space. Even still, many patients may be hesitant to disclose information related to sexual orientation and gender identity due to past negative interactions with the healthcare system. By using a safe space to communicate and connecting JP to mental health care services using MindMapBC, pharmacists can improve health equity and outcomes.
Authors
Travis Salway (he/him) is an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, where he works with 2S/LGBTQ communities and public health practitioners to improve the health of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans people.
Amit Gupta (he/him) is currently completing his PharmD at the University of British Columbia. He works with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control studying sexual health outcomes among men who have sex with men.
Sarah Watt (she/her) works as a Research Coordinator for the 2S/LGBTQ+ health equity research team, which explores factors contributing to health inequities and seeks to identify strategies to improve health among 2S/LGBTQ+ populations.
Social media
SFU Faculty of Health Sciences: @SFU_FHS
BC Centre for Disease Control: @CDCofBC
Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity: @CGSHEquity
Travis Salway: @TravisSalway
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