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CHN, ACT’s PHN commissioned Meridian to run the Inclusive Pathways program to provide safe, high quality, evidence-based, community-focused and affirming psychological and psychosocial therapies to the LGBTIQA+ population (16 years and over). Over 110 people received services though Inclusive Pathways over the last year.
Inclusive Pathways continued to develop and evolve their methods of service delivery over the last year. The program introduced their ‘segment of care’ service model to help manage the demand, and as a waitlist strategy, which provides psychological support targeted towards client wellness goals over six sessions, prior to a review for extra sessions. This model resulted in a significant reduction in waitlist times from five months to just one month.
Meridian also introduced a GP Registrar Clinic for part of the year which provided an in-house GP registrar that could provide Mental Health Treatment Plans, while also being a safe and affirming access point for primary health engagement in managing mental health issues and the provisions of gender affirming care. The successes achieved is evidenced by 92% of the participants reporting improved health and wellbeing, 85% having improved mental health, 85% making changes in their life to improve their health and wellbeing and 69% learning new ways of looking at themselves.
Client story
Maya* (not their real name) received a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from their GP at Companion House. Maya states that she is transgender and studies in the ACT after relocating with her family as Asylum Seekers from a non-English speaking country. She advised she would like to receive some supportive therapy around recently starting treatment for Hormone Replacement Therapy, support for coming out to family and dealing with stress caused by pressure at university.
Maya and her Psychologist through Inclusive Pathways discussed a treatment plan. Maya described her traumatic childhood living in a country with civil conflict. She talked about during relocation to Australia that she went through many changes while adapting to a new culture and was also exploring her sexuality. Maya received Gender Affirming Care as an ongoing part of her therapy support.
Maya reports that at times she is experiencing extreme emotional sensitivity due to the Hormone Therapy, and at times she becomes tearful and considers self-harm as a form of managing her intense emotions. Maya and the psychologist then created a Safety Plan together around how she can manage thoughts of self-harm when they occur.
During the continued sessions, Maya conveys a sense of intention to connect with the community and find more people that they can share their transgender experience with. The Psychologist provides options within Meridian and also external services to give them further opportunity to express their self-identity, self-worth and life goals.
Maya completed six psychological sessions and decides together with the psychologist that they will conclude their sessions at this point. She discussed an exit plan and supports for Maya in the follow-up to her segment-of-care. Maya informs that she may like to re-connect with the services later in the year when she has achieved some milestones discussed during the psychology sessions.
