Sheltering Diversity: A European Initiative for the Mental Health of Vulnerable LGBTIQ+ Young Adults

This project aims to strengthen LGBTIQ+ shelters across Europe by integrating mental health support for LGBTIQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness by training internal and external stakeholder...

This project aims to strengthen LGBTIQ+ shelters across Europe by integrating mental health support for LGBTIQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness by training internal and external stakeholders. It focuses on four key objectives: 1. Developing training and knowledge sharing, 2. Enhancing shelters' capacities to address mental health needs, 3. Building external stakeholder awareness of these challenges, 4. Promoting the recognition of LGBTIQ+ shelters' expertise in mental health care.

The project will implement activities across 3 work packages: 1) Develop tailored mental health training modules through practice exchange sessions, focus groups, and partner cooperation 2) Conduct internal training for volunteers, staff, and social/youth workers and discussion groups on mental health 3) Provide external training for stakeholders, host a European conference for queer shelters, organize meetings at national and European levels and publish testimony videos on social media

The project aims to enhance the capacity of LGBTIQ+ shelters to address mental health needs, with key results including improved training for staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders, and increased awareness of LGBTIQ+ homelessness among all stakeholders. Expected outcomes include: strengthened partnerships, better integration of mental health care into queer shelters, and the recognition of LGBTIQ+ specific needs, and LGBTIQ+ shelters' expertise at national and European levels.