Skip to content

Heads Together/Tête-à-Tête

University of British Columbia

Dr. Rod Knight (Principal Investigator), Dr. Pierre-julien Coulaud, Dr. Travis Salway, Dr. Olivier Ferlatte, Dr. Jenna Van Draanen, Dr. Adam Bourne, Dr. Jorge Flores-Aranda, Lynette Schick, Anna Carson

Topic areas

COVID-192S/LGBTQ+

Study Design:

The Heads Together/Tête-à-Tête study is a quantitative Canadian online survey, which ran between June to October 2020.

Study Sample:

The study used convenience sampling to gather responses from sexual and gender minorities (SGM), with 511 respondents total (162 in British Columbia).


Research Questions:

The study aimed to describe the alcohol and cannabis use, and mental health outcomes among sexual and gender minorities living in Canada, within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Preliminary Findings:

Sixty-eight percent reported high perceived stress levels, 57% reported depressive symptoms, and 26% reported high levels of health anxiety. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt within the past month were reported by 27% and 2% of respondents, respectively. SGM who completed the online survey in the early post-lockdown period were more likely to report depressive symptoms and higher levels of anxiety compared to those who participated in the late post-lockdown period. In addition, SGM who identified as transgender were more likely to report depressive symptoms and high perceived stress levels. Those who were unsure of their trans identity were at increased odds of reporting suicide ideation compared to cisgender participants. Furthermore, participants who reported difficulty with comfort at home were at higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms, high levels of anxiety and perceived stress, and thoughts of suicide.

Existing and Forthcoming Publications and Outputs:

A manuscript informed by this study is in preparation. Preliminary findings from this study were shared as a poster presentation at the IAS COVID-19 Conference: Prevention 2021.

Contact Information for Updates:

Anna Carson (Research Coordinator): anna.carson@bccsu.ubc.ca
Dr. Pierre-julien Coulaud: pierre-julien.coulaud@bccsu.ubc.ca

Find more information on the study homepage

Related files

  • IAS COVID Poster

BC Alliance for Monitoring Mental Health Equity respectfully acknowledges that the land on which we work is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations.

BC Alliance for Monitoring Mental Health Equity

Privacy policy Terms of use

© 2023. All rights reserved.