Mind Australia’s LGBTIQA+ suicide prevention support service has received a month’s worth of referrals in just two days in the wake of a number of appalling anti-trans events around the country.
The influx of people seeking support in Victoria occurred after a number of highly publicised events, including an event on the steps of Victorian Parliament attended by Nazis.
Mind’s Aftercare service has had a month’s worth of referrals in two days and an increase in anecdotal reports of higher levels of distress and thoughts of suicide from within the LGBTIQ+ community.
This demonstrates yet again the very real mental health impacts of the ongoing fringe campaign targeting trans people and the broader LGBTIQ+ community.
Katie Larsen - Mind’s Senior Manager Inclusion and Participation said the "virulent anti-trans commentary” exacerbated the multiple everyday discrimination and at times, violence, trans-people experience.
“Trans people experience systemic discrimination, such as expensive affirmative healthcare or not being taken seriously when reporting family violence, or policies that do not recognise trans-people,” Katie said.
“We know that there is a direct link to psychological distress and suicidality from these public discussions, particularly among young people.”
Katie said the continued “appalling and discriminatory public commentary about the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community to simply exist”, has demonstrated the importance of programs like Mind’s Aftercare.