Report highlights need to bridge gap in services

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A new report on the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community in Gippsland has highlighted a need for increased mental health services.

The data used in the report was collected as part of the Gippsland Rainbow Brick Road project by the Gippsland Pride Initiative and was analysed by Federation University’s Collaborative Evaluation and Research Group.

The report is believed to be the first of its kind.

More than 67 per cent of participants had concerns or serious concerns for their mental health and 45 per cent reported not being able to access mental health support in their immediate location.

Alarmingly, more than 70 per cent of respondents had considered self-harm or suicide in their lifetime, and only half felt their concerns were treated seriously.

Gippsland Pride Initiative (GPI) co-founder Caitlin Grigsby said the report was, to the knowledge of GPI, the first of its kind, as a region-specific assessment of LGBTQIA+ experiences in Australia.

“It is our hope and intention that this work results in region-specific and community-informed action, to more effectively bridge the gaps and contribute to a fulfilling, equitable and enriching lived experience for

LGBTQIA+ Gippslanders,” Caitlin said.

Surveys and workshops were used to collect data last year and asked questions about people’s experiences with workplaces, family, education, healthcare services, community groups and sporting clubs.

The second highest number of participants lived in Baw Baw, at 21.2 per cent, and 34.2 per cent lived in Latrobe City.

Data collected on workplace environments revealed that although 58 per cent of participants had not experienced harassment in the workplace, almost half had heard negative or offensive statements or been exposed to subtle forms of harassment in the workplace.

At school, 45 per cent felt they were not supported to be their whole selves, despite a positive generational change being seen by many participants.

Only 30 per cent of participants reported they were actively engaged in sports, but those that were involved with sporting clubs found them to be supportive and actively promoted LGBTQIA+ policies.

The majority of survey participants were between 22 and 54 years of age, and more than half said they had been born outside of Gippsland. The participants were highly educated, 55.4 per cent owned their own homes, and had above-average household incomes.

Several participants who grew up in Gippsland noted the community was “far more inclusive than what they had experienced 20 or more years ago when identifying as LGBTQIA+ was considered taboo”.

Additionally, 53.2 per cent of respondents said local leaders were not doing enough, 30.6 were neutral, and 13.8 per cent agreed.

Some of the key recommendations in the report called for more education and training for health professionals, an increase in mental health services, suicide and self-harm prevention initiatives, awareness and inclusivity training at all educational institutions, and places of employment transition from rainbow awareness to authentic inclusive practices.

To read the full report visit gippslandprideinitiative.com