This toolkit is designed for prevention professionals and can showcase proactive techniques for upstream prevention efforts to address minority stress among LGBTQIA+ youth. This toolkit includes a call to action for the prevention workforce, highlights data and data limitations, research on minority stress and its connection to substance misuse, and provides evidence-informed recommendations for the reader.
Deirdre O’Donnell, MPH, has been working in the field of public health for over a decade. Her education has been focused on social determinants of health, how to motivate behavior change through evidence-informed health education, and positive youth development. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed the privilege of working in a variety of public health settings and issues. Currently, Deirdre is a Grant Manager for The South County Prevention Coalition, where her work is focused on tobacco control for youth. Deirdre currently sits on the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition steering committee, the Chariho Youth Task Force, the Narragansett Prevention Coalition, and more. She is a published research scientist, an advocate, a teacher, and a leader who constantly has her fingers on the pulse of cutting-edge public health developments.
