With LGBTIQ+ youth facing disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges in New South Wales (NSW), ensuring access to safe and affirming mental healthcare is critical for providing effective Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Though official data on LGBTIQ+ youth’s experiences with CAMHS is limited, clinicians report that an estimated 50-60% of young people seeking mental health services identify as LGBTIQ+. Research highlights the significant mental health burden within the LGBTIQ+ community in NSW, excluding intersex individuals. Findings indicate that 64% of participants have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and nearly 70% of those with a mental health diagnosis have received professional treatment or support within the past year. These statistics underscore the urgent need for tailored, specialized mental health resources for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
In response, the ACI Mental Health Network conducted a statewide survey of CAMHS clinicians, which helped shape a new resource aimed at equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge and tools to support LGBTIQ+ youth effectively. Clinicians expressed a strong desire for guidance on several key areas, including:
- How to approach discussions about LGBTQ+ identity and variations in sex characteristics
- Best practices for supporting trans and gender-diverse individuals, including respectful pronoun use
- The importance of LGBTIQ+ inclusive language and creating affirming physical spaces
- Therapeutic approaches from an LGBTIQ+ affirming perspective
- Engaging with the parents and carers of LGBTIQ+ youth
- Understanding the experiences of LGBTIQ+ youth with intersecting identities and their impact on mental health
This comprehensive toolkit aims to address these critical needs, offering clinicians the necessary resources to provide affirming and effective mental healthcare to LGBTIQ+ young people seeking CAMHS services.
