A $263,750 funding boost will enhance ACON’s Crisis Support and Aftercare suicide prevention service, recognising the mental health challenges within the LGBTQ+ community.
This investment will increase access to timely, tailored support that meets the specific needs of LGBTQ+ people.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said Australia’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ suicide prevention service was helping people at their most vulnerable moment.
“Sadly, the LGBTQ+ community experiences more mental health crises and suicidal thoughts and feelings than the wider community. Working closely with ACON, The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is ensuring the LGBTQ+ community has access to services which support them when they need it most,” Mrs Taylor said.
The statewide service is a mix of face-to-face outreach and virtual care from ACON’s offices in Sydney and Newcastle.
ACON’s Director of Community Health Teddy Cook said the additional funding would support the LGBTQ+ community with an enhanced lifesaving support service.
“This funding will allow us to enhance ACON’s peer support services, therapeutic groups and peer education programs and resources we deliver to people in LGBTQ+ communities who are experiencing suicidal distress, have made a recent suicide attempt or have recently lost someone close to them to suicide,” Mr Cook said.
The free confidential service is available to LGBTQ+ people over the age of 18 living in NSW who are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide or who have recently made a suicide attempt. People can self-refer after a brief assessment in person or over the phone. More details are available on ACON’s website.
ACON was awarded $1.055 million from the 2020-24 Suicide Prevention Fund to provide state-wide aftercare to the LGBTQ+ community.
The $5.92 million Suicide Prevention Fund further supports the Premier’s Priority Towards Zero Suicides; a $143.4 million investment over four years in a suite of suicide prevention initiatives which aim to reduce the rate of suicide in NSW by 20 per cent by 2023.
For anyone who is struggling, the below helplines offer support and advice:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 | Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 | Beyond Blue 1300 224636 | QLife 1800 184 527
- To be connected with specialist mental health services, call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.
