LGBT Mental Health & Counselling

Overview

LGBT populations are not prioritised in Queensland’s mental health or suicide prevention strategies.

41% of homosexual/bisexual people had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, compared to 20% of heterosexual people (ABS (2007) National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results).

This is higher than for any age group, any income level, any area of residence, any education level, and any employment status.

LGB people attempt suicide at rates between 3.5 and 14 times those of their heterosexual peers. Among transgender people the prevalence of attempted suicide is 16% to 47% (Suicide Prevention Australia (2009) Suicide and self-harm among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities).

28% of lesbians v. 8.3% of heterosexual females and 20.8% of gay men v. 5.4% of heterosexual men report deliberate self-harm. These rates are even higher among younger bisexual men and women (Ibid).

Click on the links below to find an appropriate service.

LGBTI counselling	Brisbane	Sunshine Coast	Cairns	Anywhere in Qld
Domestic violence	Brisbane			Anywhere in Qld
Sexuality counselling	Brisbane		Cairns
Relationships	Brisbane	Sunshine Coast	Cairns
Drugs and alcohol	Brisbane
Hypnotherapy	Brisbane
Parenting	Brisbane

Connect with QAHC counselling services on Facebook.

Other Useful Services

Gay & Lesbian Welfare Association Inc –
A free telephone counselling service to gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people and their families/friends in Queensland. Call 1800
184 527 or email mailbox@glwa.org.au.

Lifeline –
Telephone counselling service for relationship and family issues,
mental health concerns, coping with loss, change and traumatic
experiences, dealing with violence and abuse or addictive behaviours,
disability and illness, suicide prevention and support. Call 13 1114.

PFLAG
– Parents & Friends of Lesbians And Gays understands all families
have different values, morals and beliefs regardless of their culture,
race or religion. PFLAG helps families understand their lesbian
daughters and gay sons. PFLAG wants families to stay together and
accept each other’s differences. PFLAG offer referrals, telephone
support, booklets and CDs to listen to other parent’s stories. Call 07
3017 1739 or email pflagbris@hotmail.com or visit their website www.pflagbrisbane.org.au.

Open Doors Youth Service
- provides support to young people who identify as Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and/or Transgender (LGBT), those who have a diverse gender
and/or sexuality and those who are exploring their sexuality and/or
gender identity. www.opendoors.net.au