Minister launches project on World Suicide Prevention Day
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has today launched a program to help at-risk youth. The Open Door Youth Service, based in Fortitude Valley, has developed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Suicide Prevention Project with State funding of $100,000 and $194,000 from the Commonwealth’s Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
(Media-Newswire.com) - To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has today launched a program to help at-risk youth.
The Open Door Youth Service, based in Fortitude Valley, has developed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Suicide Prevention Project with State funding of $100,000 and $194,000 from the Commonwealth’s Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
“This group of young people has been identified by the State Suicide Prevention Strategy to be 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than the rest of the community,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“By developing and delivering training to other service providers who work with these young people, Open Door has the capacity to turn the statistic around for this group.
“It is developing a train-the-trainer package to help other service providers better understand the specific needs and experiences of this group of clients.
”The funding will also will enable web-based referral information, including fact sheets and links to useful websites, to be made more readily available to young people who need support.
“The project will be rolled out in communities across regional and rural Queensland from Longreach in the west to Mackay in the states north.”
Local Member for Brisbane Grace Grace, who has been working with Open Door, said the innovative project aimed to help reduce the incidence of suicide and self-harming behaviors among young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“Open Door is based at Fortitude Valley, and this project will enable it to develop and deliver suicide prevention programs specifically for this target group, taking into consideration issues such as identity, discrimination, abuse and isolation,” Ms Grace said.
Ms Grace said research has shown numerous factors contribute to the higher rate of suicide and self-harming behaviors among young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people which can also lead to homelessness, substance abuse and self harm.
“These factors include identity formation, a culture of homophobia, discrimination, abuse, social isolation and the often traumatic experience of ‘coming out’ to family and friends,” she said.
The Queensland Government provides $1.2 million in funding under the Suicide Prevention Strategy to provide programs designed for identified at-risk groups, including Indigenous people, youth, seniors – older men in particular, and marginalised groups including refugees and migrant youth.
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office 3235 4280, Ms Grace Grace’s Office – 3832 1322
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