Intersectionality informed and narrative-shifting whole school approaches for LGBTQ+ secondary school student mental health: A UK qualitative study.

Abstract

School is a key site for prevention and early intervention in public mental health, with sexual and gender minority students being a priority group for action. Context is important in understanding how school inclusion of sexual and gender minorities shapes mental health and well-being, with rapidly changing social and political forces necessitating ongoing research. This coproduced UK secondary school-based study aimed to understand (a) key components of mentally, socially and emotionally healthy school environments for LGBTQ+ students considerate of intersecting minoritised identities; (b) staff information, skills and capacity needs and (c) factors influencing uptake and implementation. Online interviews and focus groups were conducted with 63 participants (22 staff, 32 students (aged 13-19 years), and 9 training providers), diverse in relation to gender and sexual identity, ethnicity, religious and social context. Data were analysed thematically. One overarching theme captured the need for an intersectionality-informed, contextually adaptable, whole school approach which 'shifts the narrative' away from deficit thinking, challenging prevailing cis/heteronormative and White norms. This underpinned four themes: (1) 'Feeling safe, seen and celebrated: embedding intersectional signs, signals and symbols', (2) 'Everyone's business: the need for collaboration', (3) 'Embedding a culture of change', and (4) 'Re-locating the problem: challenging deficit thinking'. Contextually diverse research is needed which critically addresses ways in which social power enacted interpersonally and structurally serves to hinder schools from enacting LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Evidence to inform and develop implementation strategies for institutional changes and to advocate for wider socio-political support is also key to mitigate the potential for widening inequities linked to inequitable school environments.