Overview

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).

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

Counselling services provided by QAHC
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) individuals experience high rates of depression and suicidal behaviours. There are very few LGBT specific counselling services in Queensland to address the needs of this population. It was also identified that to improve accessibility to LGBT-friendly counselling services information aimed at strengthening the skills in working with the LGBT client and partnerships needed to be created.

QAHC has been working in collaboration with services that provide counselling, personal development and wellbeing initiatives to LGBT people. A number of services are now available from QAHC offices. A majority of the services are currently only available from the QAHC Brisbane Office, although it is our intention to extend these or similar services to our Sunshine Coast and Cairns Offices.

If you live in regions outside Brisbane, clients can make contact with each service to enquire whether the service can be provided via over the phone counselling, or whether referral can be provided to other appropriate services in your area. Contact can also be made with the QAHC Group Work and Counselling Coordinator on (07) 3017 1777 who may also be able to provide you with assistance.

The following services are currently available and a number of new services are in the planning stage for inclusion.

Focus Hypnotherapy service at QAHC

Katina Gleeson from Focus Hypnotherapy provides counselling combined with clinical hypnotherapy for people wanting to bring about lasting positive changes in their lives.

Hypnotherapy is a process which usually involves deep physical relaxation. The unconscious mind deals with all our body’s deep life-sustaining functions and is the domain of our beliefs, motivation, memories, past experiences and all we have learned. All real change and learning occurs at the unconscious level.

Clinical hypnotherapy can help with behavioural, habitual or emotional change and can help interrupt old patterns of behaviour and limiting beliefs. Clinical hypnotherapy also provides the unique opportunity to work with physical symptoms and conditions through accessing the body’s biological processes not normally accessible through conscious awareness.

To facilitate the process of lasting and positive change Katina offers a therapeutic environment that is empathic, non-judgmental and person focused. She is also committed to the principles of the strengths based approach which values respect, collaboration, inclusion, transparency and sharing – principles Katina considers essential as they reflect a belief in people and their potential.

The range of issues people have come to Focus Hypnotherapy for assistance with have included: anxiety, self-esteem & confidence, fears & phobias, relief of stress, weight management, smoking cessation, alcohol & substance dependency, control and management of pain, depression, physical symptoms and conditions.

Focus Hypnotherapy provides its service at a discounted rate from the QAHC office in Brisbane from 12:30pm to 4:30pm on Mondays. Appointments are also available outside of these hours at the Focus Hypnotherapy’s own rooms. For further information or to make an appointment phone Katina on: 07 3168 1779 or 0415 480 804.

LGBT Rainbow Relationship Counselling Service

The Rainbow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Relationship Counselling Service is available at the Brisbane, Cairns and Sunshine Coast Office of Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC).

The service was initiated through a collaboration between Relationships Australia (RAQ) and The Queensland Association for Health Communities (QAHC). Staffing for the LGBT Relationship Counselling Service is provided by RAQ, along with a body of expertise and knowledge in the area of relationships. This face-to-face counselling service operates each Thursday.

Telephone Counselling is available for LGBT people living outside of the areas of QAHC Offices. Bookings for all services can be made on 1300 364 277.

LGBT people are also welcome to access Relationship counselling services of RAQ across the state with staff who have been trained in LGBT issues.

RAQ is committed to its tenets of inclusion and social justice and is grateful for all the support received from the community for this important work.

QuIHN & QAHC– NEW DIRECTIONS

New Directions Counselling Service is a service provided to support people, partners, friends and families who experience difficulties with drugs and alcohol.

Drug and alcohol use in the LGBT community is 2 to 4 fold higher than in the broader heterosexual community. Drug use can be hard to manage and various areas of life can be affected. People who are experiencing difficulties managing their substance use may also be experiencing some mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

QAHC in collaboration with QuIHN is offering counselling and support to those who are looking to better manage their drug use and mental health concerns. QuIHN’s counsellors are tertiary trained and are aware of and sensitive to the issues faced by members of the LGBT community.

Counselling is offered for individuals from the LGBT community in a non-judgemental, confidential and supportive space based at the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) in Brisbane.

QuIHN’s fees are low and fee waivers can be arranged for those in financial stress. For more information or to book a counselling session, please phone QuIHN on: (07) 3620 8111 - Please quote ‘New Directions’ to book a session from the QAHC office.

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.