Informal digital peer support for mental health: understanding the digital support practices of LGBTQ+ young people in Australia.

Abstract

This paper offers an analysis of informal digital peer support among LGBTQ+ young people in Australia, based on survey data from 660 young people (aged 16-25). Research on LGBTQ+ young people's mental health support commonly focuses on their professional support needs and connection to services, but there is also a need to understand informal peer support through everyday social media use. There are known benefits of having access to multiple forms of care and support, including the immediacy of friendship and peer-based support. This paper focuses on how LGBTQ+ young people participate in informal digital support practices for mental health and the values they attribute to this. This includes support that is not only sought and found but that which is offered and reciprocated through care networks. We highlight the need to consider where informal support comes from, who is involved, and what it offers to LGBTQ+ young people. Participants commonly experienced social media as environments that offered connection to supportive people, content, and spaces - providing mental health benefits. The community, connection, and solidarity of online platform spaces can benefit young people's mental health and wellbeing, thereby complementing formal healthcare programmes, policy and systems of care.