FOCUS
James is conducting research to empower queer and trans youth of color in their experiences with mental illness and mental health services. Power differentials exist between youth and adults, which are exacerbated by homophobia, transphobia, and racism, and this impacts youths’ access to and confidence in mental health services. James’ research uses digital ethnographic methods and content analyses of social media to explore youths’ unique contextualization of their mental health and better equip mental health systems and providers with this knowledge. Ultimately, the goal of this research will be to address the increasing rates of mental illness and suicidality, especially in queer and trans youth of color, and to promote the ways in which these youth have thrived in spite of systems of care which weren’t built with them in mind.
MORE ABOUT JAMES
James is a Los Angeles native who is passionate about empowering queer and trans youth of color because of their own experiences navigating stigmatizing systems in youth. Their experiences as a mental health counselor and community organizer influence their desire to apply their research directly to communities, rather than being trapped in academia.
DISSERTATION GRANT AWARDEE — WINTER 2025
Developing a Theory of Ethical Practice Among Queer Social Workers of Color in Spaces of Digital Care
This dissertation explores the use of the social media platform — TikTok — as both a tool and a space for providing digital care by and for queer social workers and therapists of color. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, this study aims to bridge the knowledge gap between rising mental health issues among queer people of color and practices used by mental health professionals to meet these needs. Knowledge gained will be used to develop social work practice policies that attend to the nuance of digital spaces and worsening mental health care needs.
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