The Alberta Teachers’ Association

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced funding for a multiprovincial study entitled “Reducing Stigma, Promoting Resilience: Population Health ­Interventions for LGBTQ Youth.”

The Alberta Teachers’ ­Association, in partnership with Elizabeth Saewyc, University of British Columbia, and Andre Grace and Kristopher Wells, Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, University of Alberta, is a supporting partner in the research. The study will investigate trends in population health, risk and protective factors in youth health, mental health and educational outcomes. Research will identify promising educational programs, policies and supportive environments, such as gay–straight student alliances in schools, that are critical in enhancing health, well-being and educational opportunities for sexual and gender minority youth in schools and communities.

This groundbreaking and much-needed research will promote the creation of diverse, equitable, inclusive and respectful school environments for vulnerable students. The research grant is the largest ever awarded by the federal government for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) youth research in Canada.