Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 23, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 6, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025
Date Accepted: Dec 11, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Experiences of Peer Mentoring Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults who are at risk for Suicide: A Mixed Methods Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Emerging adult sexual and gender minority people (EASGM) are at increased risk for suicide due to unique experiences including discrimination, family/friend rejection, and low positive affect. Peer Mentors (PMs) may offer a unique opportunity for intervention but are underutilized for suicide prevention among EASGM.
Objective:
We developed an intervention, Supporting Transitions to Adulthood and Reducing Suicide (STARS), to improve suicide prevention among EASGM and increase social support, coping, and positive affect. Peer Mentors meet virtually for six weeks, providing social support, strategies to diminish the impact of discrimination, connection to safe spaces, and reinforcement of intentions to use Safety Plans.
Methods:
To understand PMs’ experiences in their role, including distress, fidelity to the manual, and perceptions of feasibility and acceptability of STARS and participants’ Safety Plan, we collected survey data from participants and PMs as well as in-depth interviews with PMs after the completion of the intervention.
Results:
PMs reported overall high comfort (8.52; SD=1.60) and low distress (1.93; SD = .87) during sessions. PMs had high fidelity (>90%) to the PM intervention training. PMs reported high feasibility (17.50; SD = 2.38), acceptability (20; SD = 0), and appropriateness (20; SD = 0) of the STARS intervention.
Conclusions:
Peer mentorship for EASGM who are at risk for suicide was deemed as feasible and acceptable by PMs and participants alike. PMs reported that they felt comfortable and confident during the sessions. Future research should explore the optimal strategies to support PMs and participants as they engage in suicide prevention work as well as incorporate feedback from the PMs in this study to ensure optimal outcomes. Clinical Trial: NCT05018143
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