Preliminary Independent Evaluation of Free2B: A Targeted Intervention to Promote the Mental Wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ Youth.

Introduction: Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ 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: A quasi-experimental evaluation using propensity score matching and difference-in-differences analysis was 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). The intervention group consisted of N = 55 young people (aged 10-18, M = 14.5, SD = 2.0, 29.1% girl, 32.7% boy, 18.2% nonbinary, 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% nonbinary, 3% describe in another way and 5.4% not sure). Data were collected in England between 2016 and 2023.

Results: Participation in Free2B led to a statistically significant improvement in mental wellbeing ( $\beta$  = 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 LGBTQIA+ young people. Accordingly, an explanatory trial is warranted.