Providing Support to Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community

 

During Sydney WorldPride, it is important to reflect on current health data and consider what we can do to better support to all members of our community.

Recent studies show that of LGBTQIA+ people aged 16 to 17 years, 64% reported having never been diagnosed with a mental health condition, 83% reported high or very high levels of psychological distress, and over a quarter had attempted suicide in their lifetime[i]. Almost half of transgender and gender diverse people aged 14 to 25 years reported that they had attempted suicide in their lifetime[ii].

In an effort to reduce these statistics, we commission the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) to deliver the Psychosocial Support Program for Refugees who Identify as LGBTQI. This initiative is the largest and most comprehensive national project supporting LGBTQIA+ people from refugee backgrounds and has been co-designed by people with lived experience in our region.

 

What is the Psychosocial Support Program for Refugees who Identify as LGBTQI?

29% of LGBTQIA+ people aged 16 to 27 years reported a background other than Anglo-Celtic, yet 18% reported having experienced a conflict between their cultural background and their sexuality or gender identity.

The Psychosocial Support Program for Refugees who Identify as LGBTQI aims to reduce stigma and discuss issues such as loneliness and stress, immigration, health, employment, education and relationships. It offers refugees from LGBTQIA+ knowledge about their rights in Australia and helps them build support groups to collectively face trauma and build connections in community. The STARTTS team provide this through:

  • Mental health literacy and psychosocial group interventions
  • Establishment of stronger social support networks through peer leader training, psychosocial support groups, shared meals and social outings to reduce social isolation
  • Development of wider community knowledge about the needs of LGBTQIA+ people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds
  • Casework and case management support for LGBTQIA+ refugees
  • Workshops for migrant and refugee services and LGBTQIA+ services
  • Training and education for health and settlement professionals and registered interpreters
  • Development of an Advocacy Manual in partnership with Cultural Diversity Network Inc and Refugee Council of Australia

You can find out more information and refer your patients by contacting STARTTS on (02) 9646 6666.

 

The Walk On Walk Strong Project

Walk On Walk Strong is a STARTTS LGBTIQIA+ project and was formed by a group of people from different countries, ethnicities, faiths, education, abilities, languages, sexual orientations, gender identities, families and relationships and have come to Australia to find refuge. Walk On Walk Strong run peer-led psychosocial support groups, train intentional inclusive practice workshops for settlement, multicultural, interpreter and LGBTIQIA+ services, and create resources to support LGBTIQIA+ people with refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. The project has raised awareness, raised voices and made change for people who have refugee and asylum-seeking experiences and expansive genders, sexualities, bodies families, and relationships.

You can read about the inspiring stories of the people in the Walk On Walk Strong project.

 

Get Involved in Pride

Sydney WorldPride runs from Friday 17 February to Sunday 5 March 2023. Find events and ways to get involved in at Sydney WorldPride.

 

What Can Your Practice Do?

  • Promote your practice as LGBTQIA-inclusive: use welcome posters, LGBT flags or stickers to symbolise safety and respect, and highlight inclusivity policies on your website
  • Use inclusive language: provide affirmative care to patients when discussing sexuality or gender, check how people identify before making assumptions, and update health forms to include non-binary options and preferred pronouns
  • Develop inclusion and diversity policies: for patients and staff
  • Train staff:

 

Additional Resources for LGBTQIA+ Community Members:

  • QLife: free anonymous peer support and referrals for LGBTQIA+ individuals, their friends, families, and health professionals
  • Twenty10: offers housing, mental health, counselling and social support to people aged 12-25 years
  • ACON: offers community health, inclusion and HIV support
  • Qheadspace: a mental health community forum for LGBTQIA+ individuals

 

If reading this article has triggered any feelings of helplessness, self–harm or suicide, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call Emergency on 000 if you are at immediate risk of harm.  

 

[i] LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (2021), Snapshot of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Statistics for LGBTIQ+ People, available from: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/lgbtihealth/pages/549/attachments/original/1648014801/24.10.21_Snapshot_of_MHSP_Statistics_for_LGBTIQ__People_-_Revised.pdf?1648014801

[ii]

Thursday 23 February 2023