May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). In honor of the IDAHOBIT 2024 theme, “No One Left Behind: Equality, Freedom and Justice for All,” we’re spotlighting the MindMapBC project. MindMapBC is a service finder that helps people identify 2S/LGBTQ+ confirming mental health support in British Columbia.
In recent years, MindMapBC has been run by I CONFIRM Collaborative, a research group committed to advancing 2S/LGBTQ+ health equity. However, the team always envisioned the website’s long-term future to be in the hands of a community-based organization. This summer marks the realization of that vision as the project changes hands from REAFFIRM to QMUNITYBC’s queer, trans and Two-Spirit resource centre.
CGSHE interviewed REAFFIRM and QMUNITY about the collaborative work done on the project and its transition. The teams shared how they plan to move forward with maintaining the vision and expanding the scope of MindMapBC.
Tell us more about the MindMapBC project.
MindMapBC helps people identify 2S/LGBTQ+ by confirming mental health support, resources and related articles. The project was developed together with our partners, Men’s Health Initiative and Center for Community Based Research. Since the site’s launch, we’ve continued to work closely with community-based organizations, advocacy groups, mental health providers, and members of the 2S/LGBTQ+ community to improve and expand the site.
QMUNITY, tell us more about your organization.
QMUNITY provides support and connection through a variety of services, including youth and senior programs, counseling and our peer group network. Our office is located in Vancouver, but we work across the province with virtual services and recently expanded our seniors program inland.
CONFIRM, when did the collaboration start? What does it look like for a community organization and a research team to work together?
From the beginning, QMUNITY has been critical to the success of MindMapBC. Their team members provided support and guidance as we expanded the site and promoted it throughout BC. They have helped guide our approach and ensure MindMapBC continues to align with community needs and priorities.
What prompted the idea for MindMapBC to move from REAFFIRM to QMUNITY?
REAFFIRM: Although we, at REAFFIRM Collaborative, have maintained the site over the past few years, we have done so with great support from our community partners. As a mental health resource for 2S/LGBTQ+ communities across BC, we wanted the long-term future of the site to be in the hands of a community-based organization.
QMUNITY’s continued leadership and organization of queer, trans and Two-Spirit people across BC makes them a perfect partner to not only continue this work, but to expand the project in new ways.
– CONFIRM group
QMUNITY: We really appreciated working with REAFFIRM and all the community partners who helped build MindMapBC. It was a natural fit for MindMapBC to move to QMUNITY to continue to be a resource for queer people across the province as we continue to expand our service options and community building across BC.
QMUNITY, what are your hopes for the future of MindMapBC?
AFFIRMATION and their community partners have done such a fantastic job building the structure of MindMapBC so that the resources referenced in it are reliable through various anti-oppressive metrics. QMUNITY is committed to supporting this practice so that MindMapBC can continue to be a reliable resource in the future.
None of the resources listed just put on a rainbow sticker and call it a day. All are asked about how they intentionally work with many marginalized queer people before they are recorded.
– QMUNITY team
The best thing about MindMapBC is that it is created by and for queer communities across BC. We hope MindMapBC will be a celebration of grassroots queer communities across the province and represent the queer community’s commitment to caring for each other through trusted referrals.
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Have you heard about QMUNITY’s Summer of Love project? As part of the project, QMUNITY will attend 21 pride celebrations across the province over the coming months. With each stop, they will host engagement sessions with local pride organizers to learn what services are available in their community, adding to the array of existing resources on MindMapBC. Check their website to learn more!
