WIP 5 - Community through Theater: Building Belonging in LGBTQ+ and POC-Identifying Young Adults as a Protective Factor Against Mental Illness

Poster Number: WIP 5
Publication Number: WIP 5.760

Background: LGBTQ+ and POC-identifying teens face systemic barriers that limit their access to mental health services, increasing their risk of untreated depression and anxiety. Intersectionality further compounds these risks. Live theater offers a unique entry point to intervene outside traditional healthcare methods. Theater fosters empathy and reflection as audiences connect with characters and narratives – especially those that reflect one’s lived experiences. The communal nature of theater also promotes social connectedness, a proven protective factor against mental illness. LGBTQ+ and POC teens historically and persistently deserve this targeted, equity-driven model of support.

Objective: By leveraging free live theater events, we aim to increase Sense of Community Belonging among LGBTQ+ and POC-identifying teens, a proven protective factor against anxiety and depression.

Design/Methods: The study group is 14-24 year olds in Boston, particularly those who identify as POC and/or LGBTQ+. Young adults will be invited to multiple free theater events from October to March. All plays feature diverse casts and culturally relevant themes, and identity-affirming community organizations will engage with young adults before the show. Through pre- and post- event surveys, we will measure Sense of Community Belonging through a validated questionnaire and an open-ended prompt. We will conduct comparative statistical and qualitative analysis on the results. Secondary outcome measures include event attendance, retention between events, and engagement with community organizations. An expedited IRB review is pending.