MEMBERS of the LGTIQ+ community and their families across the Greater Geelong region will now have access to free or low-cost counselling.<\/p>\n
Under the Drummond Street services, ‘queerspace’ has emerged to better support the needs of the LGBTIQ+ community and their family relationships.<\/p>\n
queerspace general manager Jemma Mead said the Melbourne-based services extended their reach to regional communities after recognising a growing need for accessible queer counselling.<\/p>\n
“Eight years ago, we started our mental health support services in Geelong as Drummond Street,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We started to see more and more families who had identified members as a part of the LGBTIQA+ community.”<\/p>\n
queerspace began running in Geelong in September, with Ms Mead saying the COVID-19 lockdown had devastating effects in youth suicide and depression amongst the LGBTIQA+ community.<\/p>\n
“We are still feeling it, the lockdown may be over, but the impact will be long lasting,” she said.<\/p>\n
“A lot of people lost their jobs and had to move back home to families who may not be supportive of their gender identity or sexuality.<\/p>\n
“We were in the same storm but different boats and that is very true for the queer community.”<\/p>\n
The queerpace services are free or based on the client’s ability to pay with Ms Mead saying no one will be refused counselling.<\/p>\n
Through the organisation people can access individual, relationship and family counselling as well as case management, advocacy and support services.<\/p>\n
Professional development training is taught for workplaces who work with or wish to provide services to LGBTIQ+ people and their families.<\/p>\n
queerspace also offers a seven-week program titled ‘The Village’ which facilitates the family-approach taken by the organisation with the aim of engaging parents and caregivers of transgender diverse and gender questioning young people.<\/p>\n
“For people of all ages family is incredibly important to our health and wellbeing and for the LGBTIQ+ community there is higher risk of being disconnected from families and peers,” Ms Mead said.<\/p>\n
“When you think about the impact of feeling disconnected with family so many mental health issues flow on.<\/p>\n
“We take the family approach because when a young person comes out the whole unit needs to adjust to the new family identity.”<\/p>\n
The Geelong office is now being re-established with face-to-face appointments currently undertaken at local community centres, as well alternative modes being offered via Zoom and telephone.<\/p>\n
To access services call 9663 6733 or email enquiries@ds.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS of the LGTIQ+ community and their families across the Greater Geelong region will now have access to free or low-cost counselling. Under the Drummond Street services, ‘queerspace’ has emerged to better support the needs of the LGBTIQ+ community and their family relationships. queerspace general manager Jemma Mead said the Melbourne-based services extended their reach […]<\/p>\n