28 March 2023

Mind Australia’s LGBTIQ+ suicide prevention support service has received a month’s worth of referrals in just two days in the wake of a number of appalling anti-trans events around the country. 

The influx of people seeking support in Victoria occurred after a number of publicised events led by British anti-transgender speaker Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (also known as Posie Parker), including an event on the steps of Victorian Parliament attended by Nazis. 

Mind’s Aftercare service has had: 

  • a month’s worth of referrals in two days 
  • more anecdotal reports of higher levels of distress and thoughts of suicide from within the LGBTIQ+ community. 

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

The continued appalling and discriminatory public commentary about the rights of the LGBTIQ+ 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 debates. 

Aftercare is a free to access service funded by the Victorian government. Mind’s Aftercare team is a LGBTIQ+ 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] 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 Diversity and Inclusion  

“This virulent anti-trans commentary exacerbates the multiple everyday discrimination and at times, violence, trans-people experience, including systemic discrimination, such as expensive affirmative healthcare or not being taken seriously when reporting family violence, or policies that do not recognise trans-people. 

“The hate-filled commentary that we have seen in recent times across Australia attacking the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community to simply exist, has demonstrated the importance of the Aftercare program. 

“We know that there is a direct link to psychological distress and suicidality from these public discussions, particularly among young people.  

“Mind Australia is proud to deliver the Aftercare program, which provides valuable recovery-focused support for LGBTIQ+ people who are having thoughts or intentions of suicide. It’s inclusive, it’s affirming and it’s saving lives.” 

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 Australia – help people with mental health and wellbeing issues manage daily activities, rebuild and maintain connections, engage with education and employment, and participate fully in the community. These are supports which help people take positive steps in their recovery journey.    

Media contact: Mind Communications Manager Max McLean:

[email protected] or 0497 333 545.