Mental health support services for young people in the Moreton Bay LGBTIQA+ community have received a boost, thanks to the city’s first Pridefest.
As the charity partner of the inaugural Moreton Bay Pridefest, headspace received $20,000 to support the mental health of youth within the LGBTIQA+ community.
headspace Operations Manager Nick Martin said the team was proud to be the event’s charity partner.
“As a local youth mental health service, we know the importance of an event like this in Moreton Bay, with over 40 per cent of the young people we see identifying and we could not be prouder to support and be supported by this event and the people of Moreton Bay,’ he said.
“We are committed to improving the lives and supporting young people who identify as LGBTIQA+ and what better way than with a festival! These funds are vital to our services and will go directly into the local community supporting programs, training and development and other initiatives to support young people in the Moreton Bay Region.”
Held during World Pride month in June, the festival attracted more than 3500 people and aimed to empower people to be their authentic selves and feel accepted and proud of who they are, regardless of their gender, identity or sexuality.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said: “It was my pleasure to present headspace with a $20,000 cheque as our 2023 charity partner, because one-in-three young people in Moreton Bay accessing their services comes from within the LGBTIQ+ community.”
According to the National LGBTIQ+ Health Alliance, LGBTIQ+ people in Australia are twice as likely to be diagnosed and treated for mental health disorders compared to the general population. More than 55 per cent of transgender and gender diverse people aged 18 and over have been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime.
headspace is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services and welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
As part of the charity partnership, $5 from every PrideFest ticket sold will now help to support the LGBTIQA+ programs delivered by centres at Redcliffe, Strathpine and Caboolture.
Find out more about the headspace centres operated by Open Minds here or to find out more about headspace visit www.headspace.org.au.