MindOUT!

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)	MindOUT!
Funded Organisation	National LGBTI Health Alliance
Geographical Area	National
State/Territory	National
Approach(es)	Universal
Individual/Group	Group
LIFE Action Areas	Improving the evidence base and understanding of suicide prevention Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention Providing targeted suicide prevention activities Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention
Target Groups	LGBTI populations

2. Project Description

The National LGBTI Health Alliance (the Alliance) is the national peak body of organisations and individuals working together to improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex and other sexuality, sex and gender diverse (LGBTI) people. The Alliance has established and is supporting the 'MindOUT! LGBTI Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Project'. The MindOUT project aims to improve mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for the LGBTI population by establishing networks and linkages between the LGBTI sector and existing Commonwealth programs, mainstream providers and research.

The project objectives are to:

• Support generic mental health and suicide prevention service providers to develop best practice access to and delivery of services reaching LGBTI people, both regarding the treatment of mental health problems and the maintenance of better mental health outcomes
• Develop national mental health and suicide prevention initiatives to effectively target LGBTI communities, utilising and building existing capacity
• Contribute evidence-based policy advice to the Commonwealth and other national stakeholders for best practice in mental health and suicide prevention activity for this high-risk population
• Ensure that research is conducted and disseminated that contributes to the evidence base around LGBTI mental health and wellbeing

The scope of the project is national, with a focus on Commonwealth policies and programs and national peak non-governmental organisations in the area of mental health and suicide prevention.

3. Activities

• Develop an evidence‐based briefing paper with key messages in relation to LGBTI inclusion
  • Review existing evidence base
  • Draft issues paper on LGBTI suicide prevention (SP) and mental health (MH) for use in initial liaison with stakeholders (to include draft key messages for dissemination on LGBTI SP and MH and key evidence/health issues)
• Gather data on current levels of LGBTI Mental Health and Suicide Prevention awareness, identified needs and existing linkages to inform the project
• Conduct 3 online surveys, targeting:
  • LGBTI community members
  • LGBTI health organisations; and
  • Generic Mental Health and Suicide Prevention organisations
• Gather the information required to create effective linkages with relevant stakeholders, including Australian Government funded initiatives such as the Australian General Practice Network, headspace, Inspire Foundation, and beyondblue
• Establish the relationships and mechanisms required to implement the project objectives:
  • Initiate relationships with key stakeholders
  • Establish infrastructure for efficient engagement with the LGBTI community sector
  • Develop consultation mechanisms within LGBTI community sector
• Provide policy advice for best practice to the Department of Health and Ageing as required Top of page

4. Funding

• Round 1
  • NSPP funding
    • 2006/07 - not applicable
    • 2007/08 - not applicable
    • 2008/09 - not applicable
  • % project funding - not applicable
• Round 2
  • NSPP funding
    • 2009/10 - not applicable
    • 2010/11 - $70,508
  • % project funding - not applicable
• Round 3
  • NSPP funding
    • 2011/12 - $537,110
    • 2012/13 - $402,237
  • % project funding - 100%

5. Staffing

• Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - not applicable
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - not applicable
• Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - not applicable
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - not applicable
• Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 2.2
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2.2