Via Calvin Fernandez [[email protected]]
We are looking to recruit participants who:
- self-identify as a racialized 2SGBTQ man
- aged 19 and above
- currently live in Canada
- can speak and understand English
- have experienced suicidal ideation, planning and/or attempt more than a year ago.
Interested participants can contact the student investigator, and will be invited to a 15-minute Zoom pre-interview meeting to:
- assess their eligibility
- receive briefing about the study and consent details
- review safety measures while participating in the study
Eligible participants will subsequently complete a sociodemographic form and be invited to take and submit 5 to 10 digital photographs that best illustrate their strategies, including strengths and challenges for dealing with suicidality. They will then undergo individual Zoom interviews with the student investigator, using the submitted photographs to illustrate, narrate and/or discuss their experiences of suicidality.
Time commitment: Participants are expected to spend approximately 15 minutes for the pre-interview meeting, and approximately 1 hour for the individual interview. Additional time may be required e.g. time taken to take photographs which may vary between participants.
Compensation: Participants who complete all steps of the study will receive a $100 e-gift card from any Canadian store of their choice. This compensation will be paid after the participant has completed all study steps.
How will the final learnings and output of the project be brought back to the community?
Taking on a strengths-based approach, this study aims to draw on participants’ experiences and strategies to generate targeted suicide prevention strategies that are responsive to the unique needs of racialized 2SGBTQ men living with multiple intersecting identities in Canada. That said, the findings will be shared in the form of research manuscripts and academic presentations with other researchers and academics, and together, it will be used to build upon their existing knowledge and expertise to develop targeted suicide prevention interventions for racialized 2SGBTQ men.
In collaboration with different non-profit organizations, the findings from this study could also be used to develop health education materials including factsheets and mental health support resources for the racialized 2SGBTQ men community who engage their services. Given that these resources will highlight strategies from members of their own community, it may be relatable and could promote self-initiated help-seeking among racialized 2SGBTQ men. Such resources that are tailored to be gender transformative and culturally responsive will also be helpful for mental health professionals including counsellors and suicide crisis hotline workers who may work with the racialized 2SGBTQ men community.
Lastly, if there is additional funding and with participants’ consent, the photographs submitted by participants could also be used to develop an interactive virtual photo exhibition that will showcase their strategies for dealing with suicidality, and be shared with other racialized 2SGBTQ men across Canada. That way, members of the wider community can benefit from their own peers as they work out their own strategies to cope with suicidality.
Benefits to participants: By participating in the photovoice interviews, it will provide participants with the opportunity and autonomy to have their voices amplified and centred as they discuss their own experiences and strategies dealing with suicidality. Their insights will be of tremendous value to other racialized 2SGBTQ men across the country.
Interested in learning more? Get in touch: The primary contact person (and student investigator) for this study is Calvin Fernandez. Interested participants can contact him via email at [email protected]. The principal investigator of the study is Dr John Oliffe.