Preliminary independent evaluation of Free2B: a targeted intervention to promote the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth

Introduction: Young people who identify as LGBTQ+ are significantly more likely to experience mental health problems than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding interventions to support their wellbeing. This Short Research Article provides preliminary independent evidence of the efficacy of Free2B, a novel 1:1 mentoring service. Methods: Propensity score matching and difference-in-differences estimation were used in a pre-test/post-test control group design to assess the impact of Free2B on the mental wellbeing (assessed via the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, SWEMWBS) of N = 55 young people (aged 10–18, M = 14.5, SD =2.0, 29.1% Girl, 32.7 Boy, 18.2 Non-binary, 3.6% Describe in another way and 16.4% Not sure), with matched control samples derived from a subset of the #BeeWell cohort study (N = 14, 715, aged 12–15, M = 13.2, SD =0.7, 43.6% Girl, 45.9 Boy, 2.2% Non-binary, 3% Describe in another way and 5.4% Not sure). Results: Participation in Free2B led to a statistically significant improvement in mental wellbeing (β = 3.81, 95% CI = [2.01, 5.61], d = 0.80). This effect was found to be robust across a series of sensitivity analyses (e.g., different matching methods, permutation tests). Conclusions: Free2B yields considerable promise as a means through which to improve the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ young people. Accordingly, an explanatory trial is warranted.