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LGBTIQA+ communities have diverse health needs. Prevailing social stigma and discrimination have led to greater barriers to accessing health services and poorer mental health outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for community-oriented and person-centred mental health services that identify and understand the intersectional needs of the LGBTIQA+ community.
CHN, ACT’s PHN, commissioned Meridian to run the Inclusive Pathways program to provide high-quality and trauma informed evidence-based psychological therapies and psychosocial strategies to the LGBTIQA+ community that live/work/study in the ACT.
Over the last year Inclusive Pathways, through its comprehensive and individualised approach, provided invaluable support to 85 clients with diverse lived experiences. By combining evidence-based psychological strategies with specialised care, the program empowered clients to address mental health concerns and explore their identities with an affirming and inclusive approach. When surveyed, 93% of service users reported an excellent experience with the Inclusive Pathways team and 98% of clients agreed or strongly agreed they felt safe to be themselves and accepted.
Client Story
Melissa* (not her real name), a 48-year-old woman who recently came out as gay, had been married to a man and was struggling to navigate the implications of her sexuality on her personal life. Inclusive Pathways supported Melissa in addressing her mental health concerns, exploring her identity, and managing the stigma associated with coming out later in life.
To address Melissa’s multifaceted needs, the Clinical Care Coordinator referred her to a Psychologist within the Inclusive Pathways program. The Inclusive Pathways Psychologist engaged in a collaborative therapeutic process with Melissa.
Melissa gained a deeper understanding of identity as a lesbian woman and gradually reconciled the guilt and shame associated with disclosure later in life. Melissa developed improved coping skills, being empowered to manage depression through therapeutic strategies. The process strengthened her self-esteem, self-acceptance and self-compassion, leading to an overall improvement in her mental wellbeing. Through this holistic approach, Melissa’s journey towards self-acceptance and well-being was supported, allowing her to rebuild a healthier and more fulfilling life aligned with her authentic self.
