Mental health lifeline for LGBTI
A new mental health telephone counselling service will be established across the country for people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
A new mental health telephone counselling service will be established across the country for people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Senator Jacinta Collins, said the federal government would give $3.3 million over two years to the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Health Alliance to provide the QLife support service.
Senator Collins made the announcement while addressing an industry forum held by Gay Retirement Association (GRAI), COTA WA and Aged Care Services WA last week.
The service is being jointly delivered by the Alliance and five existing gay and lesbian counselling services in WA, Queensland, SA, Victoria and NSW.
“These services can go a long way to helping people overcome the negative mental health impacts of discrimination, stigma and social isolation because of their sexual orientation, sex or gender,” Senator Collins said.
“They will be followed later this year by other QLife services such as online real time chat support, online forums and an email response service as well as online multi-media mental health information and resources, which will include video and audio formats.”
QLife is now available across Australia, seven days a week between 5:30pm and 10:30pm on 1800 184 527. QLife will also provide Self Help and a Web-based Support Program (Teleweb) via www.qlife.org.au
