Recent insights into the mental health needs of two-spirit people

Abstract

This paper provides a review of issues impacting the mental health of two-spirit people. Research has documented high rates of poverty, disparities in rates of harassment and violence, PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidality, and substance use. Most research has focused on mental health disparities, often framing two-spirit people as affected by intersecting oppressions (i.e., racism or colonialism intersecting with homophobia or transphobia). Most research to date has been qualitative or has drawn on small convenience samples, limiting the generalizability of findings. Large-scale quantitative data is needed to advance understanding of how mental health disparities emerge and how protective factors, such as cultural engagement, improve well-being.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Indigenous; Mental health; Substance use; Suicidality; Two-spirit; ptsd.