GLCS Phone Counsellor Course – Starts May 2013

Gay and Lesbian Community Services (GLCS) is excited to announce this year’s six week counsellor training course. The course will run from 10am – 4pm on May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2 and 9. 

The course is designed to get highly motivated people onto the GLCS phone line relatively quickly and focuses heavily on the core skill and knowledge sets necessary to undertake supervised brief supportive telephone counselling in a professional and ethical manner.

Prior counselling experience is not required. The course is open to people who may have previously completed the GLCS counselling course and wish to return to the organisation. For more information go to our Counsellor Course information page and apply online. Applications close Friday 26 April 2013.

 

GLCS Opening Closets Mental Health Training – Register Now

Gay and Lesbian Community Services of WA (GLCS) has been funded by the Mental Health Commission to deliver the new Opening Closets Mental Health Training for frontline mental health workers in Perth.

Opening Closets Mental Health Training aims to improve access to mental health services by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people by raising awareness of their specific needs and developing worker capacity to appropriately respond to clients while promoting inclusive practice. Read the rest of this entry »

LGBTI needs recognised in unique program

Media Release, 9/10/12 from Hon. Helen Morton MLC, Minister for Mental Health

•    Training program for mental health staff receives $75,000
•    Improve access to services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities.

The needs of Western Australia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community will be better understood through a unique training program for frontline mental health and telephone crisis line workers.

The Opening Closets training program, run by Gay and Lesbian Community Services of WA, aimed at reducing mental distress experienced by LGBTI people, received $75,000 from the Mental Health Commission to fund the program. Read the rest of this entry »

GLCS now funded to start Living Proud

Gay and Lesbian Community Services (GLCS) WA welcomes the announcement of funding for LGBTI suicide prevention initiatives under the Western Australian One Life Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Developed in consultation with LGBTI community organisations, stakeholders and community members over the last six months, the LGBTI Community Action Plan was one of the first community action plans to be approved by the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention, highlighting the strong support for addressing the mental health needs of LGBTI people.

Read the rest of this entry »

2012 to build on achievements of 2011 for the National LGBTI Health Alliance

Media Release, 09 January 2012 from the National LGBTI Health Alliance

“2011 was a significant year for the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Health Alliance”, said Paul Martin, Chair of the Alliance Board.  “Considerable progress was made in priority areas that had been worked on for some time.  In the short space of a year, the Alliance has grown from three part-time positions to 5 full-time and one part-time position, and has become involved in many new areas of health promotion for LGBTI Australians”, Martin said.  Read the rest of this entry »

Suicide Prevention Strategy Gets Funding

Gay and Lesbian Community Services WA has received a three-month contract to consult the LGBT community for the One Life suicide prevention strategy.

GLCS has signed the contract and will be working to create a comprehensive community action plan which will then go before the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention for approval.

Consultations will start in January and community members are invited to have their say on initiatives and activities that would benefit the community. GLCS Chairperson Nadine Toussaint said she was looking forward to working with the community on this initiative.

‘This is a much needed and fantastic opportunity for raising awareness and building the capacity of our community around suicide prevention and mental health,’ Toussaint said.

‘We are hopeful that there will be some very positive outcomes and long term benefits for the community as a result of this project.’

GLCS has been working in collaboration with the WA AIDS Council’s Freedom Centre to secure this funding since February 2011.

Article courtesy of OUT In Perth

Social Inclusion in Action – new DHS LGBTI Working Group

06 December 2011 Media Release from LGBTI Health Alliance

The new LGBTI Working Group for the Department of Human Services met for the first time today, with Intersex, Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian and Gay representatives from around the country. The Minister, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, told the group she wants them to identify how service delivery to LGBTI Australians can be improved by identifying the key issues they face and how best to address them. Read the rest of this entry »

Victoria’s First Intersex Mayor a Breakthrough for all Intersex Australians

06 December 2011 Media Release from LGBTI Health Alliance

The National LGBTI Health Alliance congratulates Tony Briffa on his election as Mayor of Hobsons Bay in Victoria. Briffa has been notable for his commitment to honouring diversity during his career as a councillor, working not just for LGBTI people, but also in the areas of disability, multiculturalism and youth. Read the rest of this entry »

$1.1 million announced for National LGBTI Mental Health

Suicide rates among people in Australia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities will be tackled with a $1.1 million Gillard Government grant.

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, today announced the Gillard Government will provide $1.1 million over two and a half years to the National LGBTI Health Alliance for MindOUT, a new national mental health and suicide prevention project.

“The LGBTI community reports higher levels of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems with evidence suggesting they are 3.5 to 14 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general community,” Mr Butler said.

“The MindOUT proiect will help address these needs by building the capacity of the LGBTI community members and mainstream health services to respond more effectively. Read the rest of this entry »

CONNECT Study

$4000 travel voucher from the Flight centre up for grabs – participate in the CONNECT study and you will have a chance to go into the draw to win!

If you are male, over 18, have had sex with another man in the last 12 months and live in Perth, Melbourne or Sydney – what are you waiting for? Contact Rita Freijah r.freijah@curtin.edu.au, visit www.connectstudy.net or  download the CONNECT Study flyer for more information on how to register.

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