STONEWALL WINTER APPEAL 2017:Case study briefing

WINTER APPEAL 2017: CASE STUDY BRIEFING

Overview

Our Winter 2017 Fundraising Appeal will focus on the theme of mental health among LGBT young people.

At Stonewall we know that lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) young people are experiencing alarmingly high rates of poor mental health, and are disproportionately affected by bullying, self-harm and suicide.

This is unacceptable. We urgently need change.

We work with schools, government, NHS service providers and other people and institutions across Britain and around the world. We make them understand the negative environments which so many LGBT young people still suffer in, the impact this has, and how to make positive change.

As a charity, the only way we can continue to achieve this, and push even further, is with the support of our generous donors. To keep pushing forward as a movement for equality, we need to help people understand the lived experiences of young LGBT people and the effects of poor mental health.

That’s why we need you to share your story. The statistics on mental health among LGBT young people are shocking, but it’s personal stories that resonate with people and get them to act.

What is the problem?

We know from our research that young LGBT people are experiencing high rates of poor mental health, and trans young people are particularly at risk.

  • 45%of LGBT young people are bullied for being LGBT at school, including64% of trans pupils
  • More than three in five LGB pupils have self-harmed. The rate rises to 67% for bi young people, 80% for disabled LGBT young people, and 84% for non-binary pupils
  • Seven in ten LGB young people have thought about taking their own life, as well asnine in ten trans young people
  • More than one in five LGB young people have attempted to take their own life, as well as more than two in five trans young people
  • One in five LGBT pupils don’t feel safe in their school, includingone in threetrans pupils
  • More than two in five LGBT pupils don’t feel able to be themselves at school

What is Stonewall doing about it?

Stonewall was established in part to make schools safe and inclusive environments, and this mission continues to fuel our movement. Here is some of what Stonewall is doing to tackle mental health issues among LGBT young people, and create positive change:

  • We worked with almost 2,000 schools in the last year through our Train the Trainer and School Champions programmes, equipping these schools to tackle anti-LGBT bullying and create inclusive environments
  • We’re launching our new module, Creating a Trans Inclusive School, this November which will equip schools to support their trans pupils
  • We create resources for schools to support their LGBT pupil
  • We work with over 40 local authorities and multi-academy trusts across Britain through our Education Champions programme, equipping their schools to tackle anti-LGBT bullying and language and support their LGBT pupils, including by building stronger links between schools and local mental health services (particularly Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
  • We work with volunteers from diverse backgrounds, with different jobs and life experiences, who visit schools as School Role Models to tell their story about growing up as an LGBT person
  • Earlier this year, alongside a number of organisations across the sector, we successfully campaigned for compulsory relationships and sex education (RSE) in schools. The government is now updating the guidance for teaching RSE, and we are lobbying for this guidance to be LGBT-inclusive
  • We train young people to campaign for equality in their school and communities through our Young Campaigners Programme
  • Through the Diversity Champions programme, we work with over 60 NHS trusts and healthcare providers across Britain to equip them to meet the needs of their LGBT patients and service users, including LGBT young people
  • We support Mental Health First Aid to ensure their training (which is being delivered to every secondary school in England over the next 3 years) is LGBT-inclusive so that all schools are equipped to support the wellbeing of LGBT young people

Who will we be talking to?

Our winter appeal will reach:

  • Our current supporters (by post, by email and by phone)
  • Our social media followers (on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)
  • Members of the public with an interest in LGBT equality (on social media)

What makes a great case study?

A great case study in mental health among LGBT young people has several key elements:

  1. It’s relatable

Our audience knows what it’s like to be LGBT, or at least knows someone who does. The ideal case study draws out the common and relatable elements of the story that help to put the reader in the storyteller’s shoes. It could also include the perspective of the allies around you who have been affected.

  1. It’s open and honest

By presenting the personal impact of mental health issues for LGBT young people openly and fully, the case study will connect emotionally with the reader and inspire action in response. It isn’t easy to talk about mental health, and it is often swept under the carpet, but it is so important that we shine a light on the issue.

  1. It has a sense of urgency

People are engaged and inspired to act when they are presented with something that’s urgent. Mental health is an incredibly concerning issue and LGBT young people are in danger right now. LGBT people are suffering and feel unsafe - we need to change that as quickly as possible. The ideal case study on this topic makes clear that support is needed now.

  1. It looks at the causes of mental health issues for young LGBT people

Societal factors such as stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create hostile and stressful environments for many young LGBT people, and these factors lead to mental health problems. It’s important that the case study does not feed into homophobic, biphobic and transphobic stereotypes of sexual orientation or gender identity as mental illnesses.

  1. It points to solutions

People can have a real impact by supporting the work of organisations like Stonewall, but only if they are shown that there is a solution. We need to change the culture of learning environments, lobby the government for more LGBT-inclusive education policies, and create an awareness and understanding around young LGBT people’s mental health. The ideal case study makes clear that the reader can be instrumental in achieving that change.

  1. It’s in plain English

We are often used to writing copy for a range of audiences, and sometimes it can sound corporate or academic. A great case study is written in easily understandable plain English. This means that it’s very easy to connect with the reader and the importance of the message is not lost or obscured.

Questions

Please respond as fully as possible to the following questions:

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself: your upbringing, when you first came out (if relevant), etc.
  1. What is, or was, your experience of being an LGBT person at school? Please talk about your education, your teachers and other staff members, and your fellow pupils, as well as anything else you believe is relevant.
  1. How did these school experiences impact on your mental health?
  1. What has been your experience of managing your mental health on a day-to-day basis?
  1. Have you felt able to open up to your friends and family about your mental health? If so, what reaction have you received?
  1. When did you first come across Stonewall?
  1. Were you supported in any way by the work of Stonewall?
  1. What other support have you received for your mental health?
  1. More than three in five LGB pupils have self-harmed, and seven in ten LGB young people have thought about taking their own life. For trans pupils, these numbers are even higher. Do these statistics surprise you?
  1. We sometimes hear people say that that the work of organisations like Stonewall is finished (particularly since the achievement of equal marriage). What would you say to them, considering the alarming rates of mental health issues among LGBT young people?
  1. What would you say directly to the reader of our winter appeal? How would you ask them to support Stonewall in tackling the rates of mental health issues among LGBT young people?

If you would like any support, you can contact our Information Service on 08000 50 20 20 or

About you & permissions

Name:

Address:

What is the best way to contact you at short notice?

Work:

Home:

Mobile:

Email address:

Date of Birth:

(Must check supporter is over 18 years old)

Gender:

Preferred Pronouns:

Town in which you grew up (if different to above):

Current job:

If student, subject and location of studies:

Would you be happy for your story to be used in Stonewall literature and campaigns including fundraising appeals?

YES NO

Would you be happy for Stonewall to write to our supporters in your voice when sharing your story as part of a fundraising appeal? In this case you would be the signatory of the letter and we would request a scanned image of your signature (you could still choose to use a different name than your own if you wish or remain anonymous).

YES NO

Would you be happy for your story to be used by Stonewall in the media?

YES NO

Would you be happy for Stonewall to use:

Your full name?

YES

NO

Your first name only?

YES

NO

A different name (i.e. anonymous)?

YES

NO

Would you be happy to be interviewed:

In the national press?

YES NO

In local press?

YES NO

On national TV?

YES NO

On local TV?

YES NO

On national Radio?

YES NO

On local Radio?

YES NO

Would you be happy for a photograph to be provided or taken and used?

YES

NO

Any other details you feel may be useful:

We will not pass on your details to anyone outside Stonewall using your name or any other identifying characteristics without your consent.

By completing this document and signing below you are consenting to Stonewall storing the personal information and images you have provided in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 for up to ten years unless asked to do otherwise and using the information in the ways you have indicated above.

Signature

Date

If you ever want to change the way we use or store your personal information or how we communicate with you, please do get in touch on or call us on 020 7593 2291

Page 1