Aidan Curtis
HEADSPACE is once again running its LGBTQIA+ Youth Group in 2023 to help give young people a safe space to relax and make friends.
According to headspace community liaison worker Nick McInerney, the group is led by the young people involved to create a “chilled out” space for connecting with others.
“It’s very relaxed, so there’s a lot of craft and video games and cooking and things like that,” Mr McInerney said.
“It’s a not a therapeutic space where people come to have counselling and it’s not a group therapy session or anything like that. It’s more for people to chill out and have some fun together.”
Mr McInerney said the group welcomes anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 and is an important way for LGBTQIA+ youth to know they are accepted for who they are.
“They might be allies and friends of people who identify as LGBTQIA+, but also people who may be unsure about their sexuality or gender, they may have it worked out, anyone who identifies as sexually or gender diverse is welcome,” he said.
“People who are also not sure about where they land on the spectrum of gender or sexuality are welcome.
“Some people can then, from transitioning in through the group, access support from the service if they need to and they’ve already built up relationships with workers here as well.”
LGBTQIA+ community group Limestone Coast Connect chairman Patrick Smith said having a space for rainbow youth to go to where they can be themselves wass a big positive for Mount Gambier.
“It’s great there is a space for LGBTQIA+ young people to go to so they can be their true, authentic selves going into the future,” Mr Smith said.
“However, while mental health services are filling a gap in the community to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people, it should not be up to just the mental healthcare sector to provide those safe spaces.
“We actively encourage other community-based organisations to foster and create the spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to contribute and grow on the Limestone Coast.”
The Youth Group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays from 5pm until 6:30pm at headspace.
