31 March 2023

Mind Australia welcomes the Victorian government’s commitment to fund additional assistance to the trans and gender diverse community seeking mental health support as part of a $900,000 funding commitment announced this week. 

Mind is one of eight organisations that will help meet the additional demand on LGBTIQA+ support services in the wake of recent appalling public anti-trans events and commentary. 

Mind will receive a $100,000 funding boost to help deliver its Aftercare program – a suicide prevention support service for the LGBTIQA+ community in metropolitan Melbourne. 

Aftercare received a month’s worth of referrals in just two days and an increase in anecdotal reports of higher levels of distress and thoughts of suicide from within the LGBTIQA+ community. 

The influx of people seeking support in Victoria occurred after several publicised anti-trans events across Australia. 

This demonstrates yet again the very real mental health impacts of the ongoing fringe campaign targeting trans people and the broader LGBTIQA+ community.   

The continued appalling and discriminatory public commentary about the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community to simply exist, has demonstrated the importance of programs like Mind’s Aftercare.  

Aftercare recorded similar spikes in demand during the Religious Discrimination Bill debate.  

Aftercare is a free to access service funded by the Victorian government. Mind’s Aftercare team is a LGBTIQA+ team consisting of mental health peer support workers, counsellors and psychologists who understand the issues faced by the community based on their own lived experience of thoughts of suicide.   

For more information about Aftercare email [email protected], visit the Mind website or phone: 1300 286 463. Please note: this phone number is staffed during business hours.     

Quotes attributable to Katie Larsen - Mind’s Senior Manager of Inclusion and Participation   

“Mind’s Aftercare service is provided by an LGBTIQA+ team consisting of mental health peer support workers, counsellors and psychologists who understand the issues faced by the community based on their own lived experience of thoughts of suicide. 

“We know that there is a direct and immediate link to psychological distress and suicidality from these public discussions, particularly among young people, so this funding will help us provide extra resources and support to the trans and gender diverse community at this difficult time. 

“Mind Australia is proud to deliver the Aftercare program, which provides life affirming supports for LGBTIQA+ people who are having thoughts or intentions of suicide. It’s safe, community-centred care that supports people in their decision to keep living.” 

Quote attributable to an Aftercare client (anonymous)   

“Aftercare was there for me in a time when I felt like I had nothing else. Being able to talk to a peer worker and a psychologist who are both part of the queer community was an important factor in my comfort and recovery post suicide attempt.”   

About Mind Australia  

Mind Australia is one of the largest providers of community-managed psychosocial services in Australia with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre-based and online services. We provide individualised, evidence-based and recovery focussed support to more than 11,000 people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns in Australia every year.  

Psychosocial supports – like the kind provided by Mind – help people with mental health and wellbeing concerns to manage daily activities, rebuild and maintain connections, engage with education and employment, and participate fully in the community. These are supports that help people take positive steps in their recovery journey.   

Media contact: Mind Senior Media Advisor Keagan Ryan: [email protected] or 0408619668 (Tuesday - Friday) 

Mind Communications Manager Max McLean: [email protected] or 0497 333 545 (Monday - Thursday)