We’re here to help LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV take control of their mental health by providing a range of counselling services and a care coordination program for people with complex needs.
Information
Mental Health Basics
While many sexuality and gender diverse people live happy, healthy and productive lives, there are a range of preventable experiences of mental distress which affect a disproportionate number of people in the LGBTQ+ communities compared to the general population.
According to La Trobe University’s Private Lives 3 study, our communities report much higher rates of mental health challenges, particularly depression and anxiety, high and very high levels of psychological distress as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, than is observed in studies of the general population in Australia. Within our communities, trans people experience higher rates of distress than cisgender people, and pansexual and bisexual people tend to report higher levels of distress than those who identify as gay or lesbian.
TransHub is a digital information and resource destination for all trans people, loved ones, allies and health providers, and has more information on mental health and trans and gender diverse people.
Suicide Prevention Resource
HERE.org.au is ACON’s digital hub for information on suicide and situational distress, connecting people of diverse gender and sexuality, their loved ones, and service providers in NSW to care, support, and resources.
HERE.org.au includes links to services and contact options for 24/7 crisis care, mental health and support services. Where possible we have included insights into what to expect when reaching out to these services, and where to find trans-affirming, cultural and community support.
HERE.org.au offers practical information and resources for our communities to better understand and talk about suicide, how to stay safe and find care options and how to take care of somebody else that is experiencing thoughts and feelings of suicide.
‘Dealing With Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19’ Resource
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) may lead to stress and anxiety for some of us. Feeling overwhelmed by strong emotions during times like these is totally understandable. Coping with distress and fear in a healthy way will help ensure that you, your loved ones and everyone in our communities stay strong and resilient during this time. To assist our communities, we’ve developed a resource on how to deal with stress and anxiety during COVID-19.
Dealing With Stress During COVID-19 PDF
How To Rise Above The Noise Of The “Religious Freedoms” Debate Resource
In light of the likely emotional distress being caused by the harmful debate surrounding “religious freedoms”, ACON has put together support resources that we hope will help everyone within our communities, particularly LGBTIQ people of colour and of faith, who may find themselves most vulnerable to hate speech at this time.
You can download the full-sized resources below:
Trans and Strong Resource
Trans and Strong Text-Only PDF
More support and information for trans and gender diverse people, allies, and health providers can be found at TransHub.
Trans Vitality
Trans Vitality is ACON’s resilience-building program for all trans adults in NSW – binary and non-binary. Trans Vitality focusses on trans people supporting trans people, and centres self-determination, autonomy and agency, while uplifting trans voices.
A Resilience Toolkit is one part of Trans Vitality and it includes information, activities and resources to help build resilience, community connection, an understanding of our history, and a powerful imagining of our futures.
Trans Vitality also includes virtual peer workshops and online community training, an eLearning on trans-affirming practice, this Toolkit and a full evaluation, gratefully funded by NSW Health.
While we know that trans liberation depends on the structural reforms needed to enable trans people to live free and equal in every community we are part of, the path to trans liberation also needs strong, connected and resilient trans people.
Summer Holiday Safety Tips
We’ve put together a three-part guide to help our LGBTQ+ communities have the best and safest Summer holiday period possible. There are guides offering handy and practical tips on how to manage:
The Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network
How can the Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network engage with your organisation?
People across NSW have called for our mental health and social services to be centred on the people who use them. To achieve this, we must embrace the participation, influence and leadership of people with lived experience of mental distress in service design, delivery, monitoring, reporting, research, evaluation and improvement activities.
As a network of individuals with lived experience of mental distress, The Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network gives the broader mental health sector an increased capacity to engage with people of diverse genders and sexualities in processes of service co-design, consultation work, and focus groups. There is a fee for service; network members are paid for their time.
Our Lived Experience Network can help with:
- Consumer/client consultations
- Focus group testing
- Feedback on resources and materials
- Provide their experiences and ideas for service improvement
- Guest speaker engagements
What is the Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network?
The Rainbow Mental Health Network is a group of sexuality and gender diverse individuals with lived experience of mental distress. The Network currently comprises 32 people from across NSW, including Sydney, Western Sydney, Hunter, South Coast, Northern Rivers and Murrumbidgee regions. The network can be engaged in person, by phone, or online.
How was the Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network established?
People of diverse sexualities and genders experience higher levels of preventable mental distress than other population groups due to minority stress, the cumulative experience of violence, stigma, harassment and invisibility.
With seed funding provided by the Mental Health Commission NSW, in 2019 ACON trained a group of sexuality and gender diverse people with lived experience of mental distress to advocate and represent their communities, with a goal to shift mental health service cultures and assumptions. The Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network was formed.
Get in contact
You can engage the Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network by contacting Samara Shehata, the Program Coordinator for Mental Health Programs at ACON: sshehata@acon.org.au
Download the Rainbow Mental Health Lived Experience Network flyer here
We’re With You: Looking Out for Our Mental Health
LGBTQ people have a long history of caring and looking out for each other. As we’ve weathered the storm of a difficult year, looking out for each other’s mental health is crucial. We spoke to community members about their mental health this year and how they care for each other while caring for themselves.
Find out more about our We’re With You mental health campaign here.
Informing the direction of ACON’s online suicide prevention hub: a review
We are proud to share the recent published report, Informing the direction of ACON’s online suicide prevention hub: a review. Gadigal, Sydney, Australia.
ACON has been funded by the New South Wales (NSW) Ministry of Health Towards Zero Suicides initiative that aims to reduce the rate of suicides across the state.
This scoping review examines the current literature on suicide, suicidality and suicide prevention, and presents the disparities of suicidality between LGBTQ+ individuals and the general population. The review also considers the intersectional needs within the community, outlining the risk and protective factors for the broader LGBTQ+ community, and specific factors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with focus on Sistergirls and Brotherboys and other trans mob, the trans and gender diverse communities, people living with disability or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant, and refugee backgrounds, and people of colour.
The evidence provided in this scoping review has informed the codesign and creation of HERE.org.au for our communities, which launched on Thursday 10 November 2022 and compiles existing and emerging information about suicide for the LGBTQ+ community.
Services
Counselling
Our Counselling provides a safe space to explore mental health, relationships, identity, sexuality, and life challenges, with a strong understanding of the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ communities. Support is trauma-informed, focused on empowering individuals to navigate change, build resilience, and strengthen wellbeing.
- Up to 12 x 50-minute sessions
- Counselling can be accessed anywhere in NSW via phone/telehealth or at one of ACON’s office in Sydney, Newcastle and Lismore
Care Coordination
Our care coordination service is practical, down-to-earth support focused on what matters most in your life. We help you find your way through services and get the support that’s right for you.
We can help you to:
- Find and access services like housing, Centrelink, legal support, NDIS, financial services and/or healthcare
- Feel more connected by linking you with the right supports and community
- Get support if you’re experiencing sexual, domestic or family violence
- Connect with HIV and sexual health services
- Look after your mental health and general wellbeing
Our care coordination model is:
- 3-6 months
- Goal focused
We’ll work alongside you to set goals, explore your options, and take the next steps.
Peer Work
Peer work is a form of support provided with people drawing on their own lived experience Peer workers walk alongside you, offering understanding, hope and connection through shared experience.
- Support is usually provided for up to three months
- Peer Work can be accessed via telehealth anywhere in NSW, or face to face at our offices in Sydney, Newcastle or Lismore
ACON peer workers offer support through:
- Drawing on their lived experience of suicide, service use, substance use and/or trans and gender diverse identities
- Delivering relational role modelling, emotional support, advocacy, harm reduction approaches, and support with system navigation
- Connection to community and relevant services, building meaning, solidarity, trust and hope through genuine relationships
Suicide Prevention and Aftercare
Are you finding yourself thinking or recovering from suicidal thoughts or self-harm?
Have you recently been discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt?
Are you concerned about LGBTQ+ loved one?
Would you like further support?
We offer a FREE and confidential suicide prevention and aftercare service comprising non-judgmental short term care coordination support for sexuality and gender diverse people aged over 18 years of age.
- This service is for people who have recently made a suicide attempt or at high risk of suicide.
- The service operates during business hours only. For more information contact our intake officer on 9206 2000 or email intake@acon.org.au
For support outside of business hours or for crisis support please contact:
- Emergency assistance: (triple zero) 000
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
- QLife: 1800 184 527
- Kids Helpline: 1800 043 470
This service is funded by the NSW Ministry of Health for Sydney and South Eastern Sydney LHDs and St Vincent’s Health Network regions.
