Crisis Responders’ Perspectives on the Unique Needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals in Crisis: A Qualitative Exploration

2SLGBTQIA+ populations experience disproportionately higher rates of completed suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation compared to heterosexual and cisgendernormative populations. However, assumptions of heteronormativity and cisnormativity, and fear of judgment in general healthcare settings, remain prevalent. The question ‘how can general crisis lines in Canada adopt more trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and sexual identity affirming approaches to improve services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?’ was posed to strengthen crisis response by exploring the perceptions of crisis responders who have supported 2SLGBTQIA+ callers. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with crisis line service providers from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: understanding the past experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ callers, personal mindsets, and service provider actions. Within these themes, participants identified key traits for trauma-informed and sexual identity and gender-affirming practice, which may help address challenges 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals experience in healthcare settings.