Helen Morgan
Senior Project Coordinator
BA (Hons), Doctor of Psychology
helen.morgan@thekids.org.au
she/her/hers
Helen has completed her clinical psychology doctorate and she is a registered practising psychologist. Her mixed-methods research is focussed on the facilitation of acceptance in trans young people with a specific interest in supporting familial acceptance of young people’s gender identity. She has clinical practice in working with trans young people and their families at the Gender Diversity Service (GDS), Perth Children’s Hospital and has also recently developed and delivered a research program to aid parents in supporting their trans child in collaboration with the GDS and The Kids Research Institute Australia. Her research is underpinned by participatory design principles to tailor research outcomes to the needs of end-users.
Helen is currently involved in several projects focussed on improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for both trans young people and their parents including development of a national online hub hosting information and resources for parents of trans children. Helen has a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Psychology from Edith Cowan University, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Murdoch University.
Projects
LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Practice Training for Medical and Psychology Students
This research aims to improve the mental health of LGBTQIA+ individuals through enhanced inclusive practice training for trainee health professionals.
Sibling Stories: Improving the mental health of siblings of trans youth
Some studies indicate siblings of transgender (trans) and gender diverse young people often experience negative mental health impacts such as anxiety and depression due to complicated familial, individual and social factors associated with having a trans sibling.
QMAP: Mapping journeys of digital and face-to-face mental health support in LGBTQA+ young people living in Australia
This project aims to visually map the journeys and experiences of LGBTQA+ young people in Australia with lived experience of accessing mental health support through formal healthcare, youth and community services, and informal networks of care.
Parent Pathways: Understanding the mental health and wellbeing of parents of trans children and young people.
Exploring LGBTQA+ young people’s experiences of suicidality: a qualitative study
Transforming Families
We want to better understand the relationship between parents/carers and their children who identify as trans or gender diverse with the aim of improving the well-being of the whole family.
November 2020
The Facilitation of Acceptance in Trans and Gender Diverse Young People
SPARX-T: An online game to prevent depression in trans young people
Published research
An Exploration of LGBTQA+ Young People’s Coping Strategies When Navigating Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
LGBTQA+ young people experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors at a much greater rate than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This study explored firsthand accounts of the coping strategies employed by LGBTQA+ young people when experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A Pilot Group Program for Parents of Trans Young People at a Specialized Pediatric Gender Diversity Service
Parental support is strongly associated with protective factors across a range of child health outcomes for trans young people. Commonly, parents report barriers to supporting their child such as lack of understanding and difficulty in accessing information and support regarding gender diversity.
Parental Experiences of Supporting the Mental Health of Their LGBTQA+ Child
Young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, asexual and other diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQA+) are at greater risk of adverse mental health outcomes and suicide, with additional barriers to accessing safe and affirming physical and mental health services in comparison to the general population.
Perspectives of LGBTQA+ young people on suicide prevention services in Australia
LGBTQA + people are less likely to access mental health care despite an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes including suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The present study aimed to explore Australian LGBTQA + young people's perceptions of key factors associated with access to suicide prevention services.
Parental Challenges, Facilitators and Needs Associated with Supporting and Accepting Their Trans Child’s Gender
Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth yet most experience parental rejection or ambivalence regarding their gender. Many parents report a desire to support their child but indicate lack of understanding and support as key barriers. We aimed to develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges and facilitators experienced by Australian parents in developing understanding, support and acceptance of their child’s gender and their needs to do so.
Knowledge is Power: Trans Young People’s Perceptions of Parental Reactions to Their Gender Identity, and Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Parental Support
Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth, however, most experience unsupportive parental attitudes. We aimed to better understand how youth perceive parental reactions to their gender identity disclosure and what they consider to be barriers to, and facilitators of, support.
Factors Influencing Parental Acceptance of Trans Children and Young People: Findings from Trans Pathways
Trans youth are at high risk of mental health difficulties and negative life events. Strong parental support is highly protective however there is little understanding of what factors facilitate the process of parental understanding and acceptance of a child’s gender identity.
Psychological Wellbeing Amongst Parents of Trans Children: An in-Depth Qualitative Investigation
Research has shown that parents of trans children face numerous challenges as they navigate their parenting role, however, little is known about the impact of these challenges on parents’ psychological wellbeing.
Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review
Young people (aged 12-25 years) with diverse sexuality, gender, or bodily characteristics, such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ+), are at substantially greater risk of a range of mental, physical, and sexual health difficulties compared with their peers. Digital health interventions have been identified as a potential way to reduce these health disparities.
Education and Qualifications
- Batchelor of Arts (Psychology) (First Class Honours) – Edith Cowan University, Perth
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Murdoch University
Awards/Honours
- 2020 - Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship