Name: Rachal Pattison
Program: Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc)
Graduated: 2020
Thesis: “Examining mental health disparities among transgender and/or gender nonconforming young people: a mixed methods approach”
How would you describe your research in the UBC Rehabilitation Sciences program?
I studied under the supervision of Dr. Skye Barbic, and my committee members Dr. Ben Mortenson and Joseph Puyat who were invaluable. My study used survey methods to examine rates of mental health distress among transgender and/or gender nonconforming (TGNC) young people and qualitative interviews to explore the experiences of TGNC young people using mental health services in British Columbia. It looked at whether young people who identify outside the gender binary (for example, trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming) report more mental health distress than their cisgender peers. TGNC young people were interviewed in order to understand their experiences using mental health services. The results showed that TGNC young people report more mental health distress than their cisgender peers. It also found that TGNC young people often reported upsetting interactions with health professionals and that they sometimes faced barriers when using health and mental health services. The youth interviewed provided simple advice to enable health professionals to be respectful and supportive when serving TGNC people.
Where and what is your current position?
I am the Service Innovation & Implementation Lead for Kickstand, which is an integrated youth services initiative in Edmonton, Alberta https://mykickstand.ca/
How do you like to spend your free time?
When I am not working on establishing integrated youth services in Alberta, I can be found reading fantasy novels, eating nachos and catering to the whims of my co-dependent cat.
Congratulations Rachal on being our featured Alumni of the Month for July!