Case Scenario #1: LGBTQ+ Youth Case Study

Scenario

Mac, who is 17 years old, grew up in a small rural community in Alberta. He is an average student who played on his high school football team and held a part-time job at a local gas station during the school year. He had a good circle of friends, most of whom were the guys from the football team. Last summer, Mac and his best friend Jeremy obtained full-time jobs at the golf course. Between work and weekend parties, they were together all the time.

During this time, Mac started to have feelings for Jeremy beyond friendship. Mac felt confused and scared by this, trying to ignore it by pushing his feelings away. However, the more he ignored his feelings, the stronger they became. Mac couldn’t stop thinking about Jeremy, wanting to be with him. He didn’t know what to do and didn’t have anyone to talk with about what he was experiencing.

They were now back at school, starting their final year of high school. Their team won the first football game of the season and they all went to a house party to celebrate their victory. The party was epic, with the usual music, food, and drinking games. After the party ended, Mac let slip that he thought he might be in love with Jeremy. Jeremy immediately felt uncomfortable and avoided Mac for the remainder of the weekend. Come Monday at school, Mac’s life changed forever. He was called derogatory names, experienced other forms of bullying and harassment, and was shunned by his friends on the football team. Because it was a small school in a small community, it wasn’t long before his parents learned what was happening. Mac’s parents were visibly upset, especially his father. When Mac’s parents confronted him about his sexuality, he was honest, saying that he wasn’t sure, and felt confused. The discussion erupted, resulting in Mac getting kicked out of the house. With a backpack filled with some of his belongings, Mac made his way to Edmonton. A few weeks after his arrival, he discovered the youth drop-in centre.

You are a child and youth care worker for the centre that offers a variety of programs and services. Part of your role includes crisis and suicide intervention, informal counselling, as well as information and referral. As Mac begins to come to the centre on a regular basis and you begin to build rapport with him, he starts to share the story of how and why he ended up in Edmonton.

Since he’s been in Edmonton, you learn that Mac has been homeless and feels even more lost, scared, and alone. He doesn’t know anyone, but in the past week he met some people who suggested that he get involved in the sex trade as a way to survive. He doesn’t know what to do and figures that he doesn’t really have other options. He didn’t get to finish high school and he doesn’t know how he can get a job without an address. Mac also shares that he’ll be out of money within the next few weeks. He’s never felt so low, as he has lost everything he cares about. He is starting to wonder if he’d be better off dead. In assessing him for risk of suicide, Mac shares that he’s never felt suicidal in the past, has never had any previous attempts, and does not currently have a plan to end his life.

Case scenario by Nadine Konyk.