Creating Safer and More Welcoming Classrooms for 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth During Suicide Prevention Month

September marks a pivotal time for many students as they return to school, a period that can be filled with excitement and new opportunities. September is also recognized as Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support during the transition back to school for young people who struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, and/or feelings of isolation. Schools can play a crucial role in the lives of students by creating safer, inclusive, and supportive environments where they feel valued and understood. This includes 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, who face the additional challenges of gender-based violence (GBV) at school which can negatively impact their mental health and contribute to suicidality. Students from other marginalized communities, who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, disabled, who experience housing and economic insecurity, who are from religious backgrounds, and/or rural and remote communities, or any combination of
these factors, also deserve safety at school.

As we head back to school and observe Suicide Prevention Month, it’s important to
remember the role that safe and inclusive environments play in supporting student
well-being. In response to the rise in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate, Wisdom2Action has developed
some fantastic resources through the SAFER Project to help educators create welcoming and affirming schools. The SAFER tip sheets and SAFER videos provide practical advice and strategies to foster inclusivity and safety. The resources are especially helpful for educators looking to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth by understanding their needs, promote a positive school culture, and prevent and address GBV.

In addition, Wisdom2Action and SPECTRUM Waterloo have developed a trans and gender diverse mental health, awareness and suicide prevention toolkit that can help address the unique challenges that transgender and gender diverse students face. Together with the SAFER tip sheets and videos, we want teachers and administrators to be prepared for the school year ahead. It’s also worth checking out Egale Canada’s pronoun resource, which highlights the importance of using correct pronouns so that every student feels validated, affirmed, and able to be their authentic self.

Let’s ensure that equity is prioritized for 2SLGBTQIA+ students including those with
intersecting marginalized identities, so that every student receives the safety they deserve at school.