5 August 2022

The second webinar in Mind Australia’s Respect in action: exploring intersectional inclusion in mental health series will discuss mental health, housing and homelessness.  

The webinar series is designed to foster conversations and provide an opportunity to learn more about the mental health needs of people from all backgrounds, ages and abilities.  

Mental health, housing and homelessness: exploring inclusive pathways will look at how we can better understand different perspectives of housing and homelessness experiences, and how mental health service providers can better support clients with diverse needs.  

The webinar takes place on 30 August.   

Register for Mental health, housing and homelessness: exploring inclusive pathways  

  • Date: 30 August 2022  
  • Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm  
  • Register here  
  • Speakers:  

Dr Cal Andrews – LGBTIQ+ homelessness expert and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne 

Dr Cal Andrews is an Honorary Fellow in the Department of General Practice at The University of Melbourne with particular expertise in LGBTIQ+ homelessness and housing. Cal is also a 2020 Churchill Fellowship recipient, member of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness’ MtS Scholars with LivEx Network, and member of the Reducing Structural Stigma and Discrimination Technical Advisory Group for the National Mental Health Commission's Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy. 

LJ – lived experience representative 

LJ is passionate about helping anyone experiencing addiction, homelessness &/or mental health issues. She has a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and has worked with Launch Housing’s Lived Experience Advisory Program for around 3 years.  In this role, LJ has been involved peer support training and a range of co design initiatives, and has been interviewed in media regarding problems with Centrelink and access to mental health services during the Covid pandemic. 

Stacey Broadbent - National Manager Aboriginal Community Housing Limited

More information to come

Details on the third webinar to be confirmed. Sign up to Mind View to get the latest information when it is announced.  

About Respect in action: exploring intersectional inclusion in mental health  

Mind is working to amplify and honour the voices of people with diverse lived and learned experiences to uphold the principles of human rights, equity and inclusion.  

We want to be a service and workplace that reflects the communities in which we work, and we want to contribute to a mental health sector that is better responsive to and accountable for culturally safe governance, leadership and service delivery.  

Our dedicated Inclusion and Participation team champions our Diversity and Inclusion Framework, setting us up to amplify the voices of all people with lived experience of mental ill-health in services, research and advocacy.  

Mind Senior Manager Inclusion, Participation and Strategic Reform Katie Larsen said the Respect in action webinar series would continue that important work, and contribute to improved access and outcomes for people and communities who experience marginalisation.   

“It’s important for organisations like Mind to develop specific strategies to address these needs,” Ms Larsen said.  

“We’re working to improve outcomes for marginalised groups by developing systems, processes and projects that support diversity and inclusion across an organisation’s service delivery, workforce and governance.”  

“As service providers we need to understand all experiences of housing and homelessness so we can provide appropriate and culturally safe supports. We know that good mental health starts with safe and secure housing.  

“Marginalised groups face complexities and challenges when accessing services. They are also often over-represented in the homeless population. Whatever your gender, sexuality or background, you deserve access to safe, respectful and quality care.”  

Previous Respect in action webinars – LGBTIQA+ peer leadership 

The importance of peer leadership in LGBTIQA+ mental health was a recurring theme for speakers at our inaugural Respect in action webinar. 

Launched on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the first webinar looked at the ways in which LGBTIQA+ peer workers inform specialist care. 

The conversation featured Manu Kailom, Peer Support and Community Development Officer with LGBTIQA+ capacity building organisation Many Coloured Sky, Alex Cuffe and Maya Kjellstrand, Mind Australia Peer Practitioner with the unique Aftercare LGBTIQA+ suicide intervention program.