Making Connections

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Making Connections is delivered free of charge in partnership with Roots of Hope.

Making Connections is a webinar series that provides parents and caregivers with opportunities for connection, as well as education and information from subject experts to help support the 2SLGBTQ1A + youth in their life.

The goal of this series is to:

1) Increase access to educational opportunities for parents and caregivers by sharing the knowledge of professionals and subject experts through the speaker series.

2) Increase opportunities for connections across Nova Scotia by focusing on connecting caregivers in rural areas with one another to allow sharing of experiences and support.

PAST SESSIONS

SEPTEMBER | Building Soft Landings for 2SLGBQTIA+ Youth

FACILITATOR: Carmel Farahbakhsh (They/Them)

Building Soft Landings is a discussion-based workshop geared towards parents, caregivers, guardians, and/or mentors of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth navigating the realities of coming out, isolation, gaps in localized resources, and building community.

In this session the facilitator discussed the foundations of gender and sexuality 101 while also sharing stories, best practices, and affirming tools that can create spaces of care, celebration, and sustainable support networks for the 2SLGBQTIA+ youth in our lives as well as for the folks that love them.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

OCTOBER | Healthcare advocacy, navigation, supports and Resources

FACILITATOR: Gary Dart (He/She/They)

This session included information on PrideHealth, healthcare advocacy, navigating the health system, supports and resources as well as personal experiences. It was geared towards parents, caregivers, guardians, and/or mentors of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth navigating the realities of coming out, isolation, gaps in localized resources, and building community.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

NOVEMBER | Gender-Affirming Medical Care and Mental Health

FACILITATORS: Dr. Ann Marie Joyce and Dr. Celia Robichaud

This session provides an overview of the five aspects of gender affirming care, with a focus on medical and surgical interventions.The facilitators also discuss the impact on mental health, need for mental health services, and how to access our team.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

JANUARY | Navigating Systems and Advocating for Your Child

FACILITATOR: Riley Neilson-Baker

In this session, Riley Nielson-Baker of Gender Affirming Care NS explores ways to to be a stronger ally and create a safer, more supportive society and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

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FEBRUARY | Building Community with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in rural Nova Scotia

FACILITATORS: Karla Veniot, Jaden Silva and Stephanie Anderson

In this session we will be hearing from young adults who grew up in rural Nova Scotia and who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These presenters will share their experiences and insight with the goal of helping parents and caregivers who want to contribute to safer, healthier, more life-affirming experiences for the 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in their lives.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

MARCH 22 | The Power of Peer Support

FACILITATORS: BriAnna Simons, Cynthia Sweeney and Veronica Merryfield

The ongoing work of advocacy and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ youth you care about is deeply important – it can also be tough,especially for caregivers who might feel that they are on their ownIn this session we introduced participants to some of the Parent/Caregiver peer support groups that are available to offer insight, and support from a place of lived experience.

In this session we will introduce you to some of the Parent/Caregiver peer support groups that are available to offer insight, and support from a place of lived experience.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

RESOURCES

READ:

• Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia 
• Standing Committee on Health Proceeding on Gender Affirming Care
• Families in Transition 
• Canadian Paediatric Society
• Gender Creative Kids
• Gender Affirming Parenting Guide 
• Gender Affirming Care Resources for health care providers and health care organizations 
• CDHA 
• WPATH World Professional Association for Transgender Health
• Rainbow Health Ontario
• CBRC Online Programming 
• Canadian professional Association of Transgender Health 
• Trans Care BC 
• The Fenwey Institute, National LGBT Health Education Centre
• Prescribing PrEP, Prescribing Gender Affirming Hormones, 2SLGBTQIA+ STBBI Testing & Treatment and Gender Affirming Surgeries & Aftercare courses
• Sexual Health Nova Scotia 
• Gender Inclusive Language in Clinical settings with new clients
• TransCare BC
• Resource List [Caelin Lloyd]

PROGRAMS:

Proud Pairs [Peer mentoring/support] | Halifax based

Queer Code [2SLGBTQIA+ youth (under 18) drop-in program – for information email or call 902-897-085 ] | Truro

Valley Youth Project [Drop-in for youth (13-25) who are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community ] | Kentville

Cape Breton Youth Project | Sydney

LISTEN:

Country Queers  – a podcast documenting the diverse stories of rural 2SLGBTQIA+ life

WATCH:

• “I Am Skylar” Film 
• The Indigenous Doctor Helping Trans Youth
• Parents of Transgender Youth Have Important Advice for New Parents Starting Their Journey 
• Rural Pride Nova Scotia- a noon hour panel at Halifax Pride 2020

Questions, please contact Project Coordinator Lindsay Miller at [email protected]

Making Connections is proudly supported by The Mental Health Foundation.

Support Making Connections

Donations allow CMHA NS to offer mental health and wellness programming, including Making Connections, to all Nova Scotians free of charge. Thank you to our generous donors and funders for their support. Your dollars have a huge impact, and we are so grateful.

Donate to CMHA Programs and Education HERE