University News Last updated 25 February 2019
To mark LGBT History Month (February), Birmingham City University has announced it will host a special conference addressing mental health and wellbeing within the LGBTQ+ community.
The conference titled ‘Narrow Windows – Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing within the LGBTQ+ Community: Nurturing Confidence and Resilience’, will take place on 17 May 2019 and offer a thought-provoking review of some of the real-life challenges facing LGBTQ+ people in the UK.
It will also look at the latest research to help assess the impact of these challenges on people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Jon Ashworth MP, Shadow Secretary of Health and Social Care, will introduce the conference, and delegates will be formally welcomed to the University’s Campus by Professor Clare Mackie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University.
Speakers at the event will include Stonewall’s Josh Bradlow who will discuss the LGBTQ+ in Britain Health Report and Dr Benjamin Piper, Clinical Lead at iRise Psychology, who will speak on the importance of self-respect, self-knowledge and self-care.
They will be joined by Birmingham City University’s Professor Adam Crizzle, who will discuss how to nurture, grow and sustain confidence and resilience.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Josh Bradlow said: “LGBTQ+ people living in Britain today experience incredibly high rates of poor mental health, as we found in our 2018 research with YouGov, Health Report.
“To address this stark inequality, it’s vital that health and social care services take proactive steps to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people throughout their work.
Professor Adam Crizzle added: “We’re delighted to host this event at the University. Covering real case studies and sharing practical techniques, it will offer an opportunity for those attending to take away skills they can put into practise, whether in their daily life or in their professional roles.”
There will also be an opportunity for delegates to put their questions to the expert panel.
Dr Benjamin Piper explained: “This conference is an opportunity to examine and discuss the lived experiences of LGBTQ community, while looking forward at how we can make things better.”
The conference will take place at the University’s City South Campus from 2pm to 5pm and the event can contribute to professional development for those working in related sectors.
Tickets can be booked online, and are free for Birmingham City University staff and students, or £25 for members of the public. An early-bird rate of £15 per person is available for tickets booked before 28 February.