Student Suggests Improvements For Young LGBTQ+ Islanders

A Year 13 student from Jersey has outlined steps the island could take to improve the mental health of young LGBTQ+ islanders.

17-year-old Hannah Read from Jersey College for Girls has used her Extended Project Qualification to research conditions faced by young people in Jersey's LGBT community.

She has put together a 49-page report on their mental health and wellbeing and is presenting her findings to dozens of health and education officials, as well as business and charity representatives.

Hannah says she was blown away by the level of interest in her research:

"Quite honestly, I was surprised at the number of people who took me seriously. I think it's a huge credit to the island to see so many high-up people wanting to listen and to hear about the research."

She's arranged to hold a separate briefing for interested States Members who weren't able to attend because of this week's sitting.

A survey carried out by Hannah found that young LGBTQ+ islanders faced significantly more mental health difficulties than heterosexual or cisgender people. Hundreds of young islanders took part.

Hannah says while similar research has previously been carried out in the UK, this is a first for Jersey:

"I saw there was a big gap in the research because loads of this kind of research looking at LGBTQ+ identity and mental health has been carried out in the UK, but nothing's been done in Jersey.

I thought it was a gap I could plug with my EPQ, so that's what I've done. I sent out a questionnaire, which around 230 people took part in, and it provided some really useful data."

Using the statistics and evidence gathered as part of her research, Hannah concludes that five key improvements could be made in Jersey:

1. Including LGBTQ+ education on Jersey's curriculum
2. Considering a legal ban on conversion therapy
3. Improving access to gender-affirming healthcare.
4. Creating a peer-support network for LGBTQ+ young people
5. Providing extra training for mental health professionals, allowing them to better support LGBTQ+ service users

She says some of the recommendations focus on preventing young people from struggling with their mental health, while others would help with treatment:

"The things that I'm talking about aren't radical in terms of what we, as an island, are able to do. But they are radical for the LGBTQ+ community and will make a big difference when it comes to their mental health.

If we implemented all five of these recommendations, even to a really high standard, we're still going to see LGBTQ+ young people experiencing mental health problems. But actually, if the services are able to support people through that, and are informed and knowledgable about the problems they're facing then that helps to alleviate some of that distress."

Hannah says her research 'is just the start', and hopes the health and education professionals attending her presentation at the school today will be able to continue running with it and make a difference to young islanders.