Welcome to the Saskatchewan Queer Mental Health Collective’s new site, we’re so glad you’re here.
We are excited to announce that www.sqmhc.ca is officially ready for you. Whether you are new to us or a long-time follower, we built this space for you. The Saskatchewan Queer Mental Health Collective (SQMHC) is a nonprofit organization working to improve access to safe mental health care across the province. We believe that Two Spirit, queer, and trans people in Saskatchewan deserve care that affirms their identities, honours their lived experiences, and protects their well-being.
You found this page because you share the same values, and together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ folks in Saskatchewan. Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, SQMHC is a queer-led, Saskatchewan-based organization that has created and participated in distinct initiatives to advance our mandate. Our mandate is to create a network of mental healthcare professionals who provide safer, queer-affirming, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, sex-positive, and socially conscious mental health services to Two-Spirit, queer, and trans folks, and improve access to these essential services.
How are we doing this?
- Research & Map the Sector: We are in the final phase of our first round of community mapping and will begin data analysis in August. Our research is based on grassroots community consultation to identify existing services, evaluate gaps in care, and produce a report on the landscape of 2SLGBTQIA+ mental health in Saskatchewan. We connected with folks in Regina at Out in the Park, Saskatoon Pride, and the Two-Spirit Forum held in North Battleford, and have a visit to North West Saskatchewan planned. Our research team took steps to make the survey accessible by providing in-person support and offering honoraria to respondents. Watch out for a link to our survey data. Initially, it will be shared with participants from the data collection, followed by a broader release to the public.
- Provider Directory: Our membership program is an intentional, application-based directory that connects community members with affirming practitioners, using ongoing feedback and learning pathways to actively cultivate clinical competence across the network. Click here to find out how to join our membership program.
- Specialized Training: We have created a rich curriculum of online and in-person queer-inclusive training and educational resources to elevate the standard of care among Saskatchewan providers. Click here to see our course offerings.
- Facilitate Supervision Networks: We offer dedicated clinical supervision to support, connect, and sustain queer, trans, Two-Spirit, and allied practitioners in their work. Our clinical advisor groups meet monthly; one for 2SLGBTQ+ providers and another for allied providers. Click here to see when our next round of clinical supervision will take place. (will have to be updated regularly)
Our team was honoured to participate in national-level conversations, including a roundtable discussion with the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), and a panel discussion for the federal public service titled Understanding Gender-Based Violence and Its Mental Health Impacts on 2SLGBTQIA+. Despite these fruitful conversations, SQMHC was disappointed to learn that the Prairie provinces were overlooked in the recent WAGE funding announcement. We have engaged Minister Valdez with an advocacy letter urging investments to be committed to stable, long-term funding to support women’s equality, strengthen the 2SLGBTQI+ community sector, and advance action to end gender-based violence in Saskatchewan. We look forward to more productive dialogue with Women and Gender Equality and Minister Valdez.
Last but not least, we have launched our socials!
You can find us on Instagram @saskqmhc, as well as on Facebook and LinkedIn as Saskatchewan Queer Mental Health Collective. We look forward to connecting with you!