Amplifying Voices
In collaboration with the Ontario branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Sherbourne Health held a series of conversations with 2SLGBTQ+ communities about mental health services to understand their experiences today, and to gather ideas about how to close the gap in care. Sherbourne Health and CMHA spoke exclusively with 2SLGBTQ+ individuals – both clients of mental health services, and providers of mental health services within the community.
The insights and ideas shared in discussion have informed the development of recommendation briefs for mental health organizations and health system leaders, with actions to take today to close the gap on care for 2SLGBTQ+ Ontarians, and to support 2SLGBTQ+ providers in caring for their communities.
Community Spotlight: In Dialogue
In Dialogue, a podcast from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), is a series that speaks to health system experts on issues related to medical regulation, the delivery of quality care, physician wellness, and initiatives to address bias and discrimination in health care.
The latest entry in the series features Dr. Jordan Goodridge, who leads seminars on trans health care for Rainbow Health Ontario. Jordan, who previously worked as a Sherbourne Health family physician, spoke with Dr. Saroo Sharda, Medical Advisor and EDI Lead about creating safe, inclusive spaces and unpacking medical biases towards 2SLGBTQ people.
The pair reference several helpful resources for health care providers looking to learn ways to reduce 2SLGBTQ barriers to care, including RHO’s courses like 2SLGBTQ Foundations, which Dr. Sharda and other CPSO staff members have engaged with.
“Of course, we want to approach our patients with humility and curiosity, but they’re not there to teach us — that is our job to do,” Dr. Sharda said. “And knowing that there are folks with extensive education expertise, like the folks at Rainbow Health Ontario, is a really important resource.”