Currently recruiting

Learning from QTPOC voices: supporting positive experiences of mental healthcare

Investigator: Dr Isabel Zbukvic

What does the study involve?

This project aims to create resources to help support positive experiences for young queer and trans people of colour (QTPOC) engaging with professional support for their mental health. 

We will be talking with LGBTQIA+ young people of colour and with mental health practitioners to understand their experiences accessing and providing professional mental health care. 

Young LGBTQIA+ people of colour are invited to take part in an interview and a workshop, but can choose to take part in an interview only. Mental health practitioners are invited to take part in an interview.

In this project, we use the language of culturally and linguistically diverse, multicultural and person of colour as umbrella terms to talk about cultural or ethnic identity other than White. We also use the word queer as an umbrella term for diverse sexualities including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other identities, and trans as an umbrella term for diverse gender identities including non-binary, gender fluid, and other identities. Sometimes also we use the acronym LGBTQIA+ as an umbrella for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexuality and gender identities. We acknowledge that people define their identity for themselves in the way that best fits them. 

This project has been developed in partnership with community organisations and LGBTQIA+ young people of colour to help support affirming and inclusive processes.

Who can be involved in this research?

Young people

You are invited to participate in this project if you:

• are 14-25 years old
• identify as a young person of colour, which includes anyone who does not consider themselves to be White
• identify as LGBTQIA+
• have lived experience of engaging with professional mental health care
• currently live in Australia

Mental health practitioners

You are invited to participate in this project if you:

• have experience working with LGBTQIA+ young people of colour
• have training in evidence-based mental health care (minimum Cert IV in a health or related area, and relevant experience working in mental health services)
• work directly with young people in a role that supports the development of a therapeutic relationship over time (more than one-off contact), and
• currently live and work in Australia

Mental health practitioners from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to take part in this project.

What are the possible benefits?

To thank you for your time, you will be reimbursed via bank transfer or e-gift voucher $40 if you participate in an interview (young people and mental health practitioners) and an additional $80 + $20 lunch voucher if you participate in a workshop (young people only).

This project also offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of useful tools to support inclusive and responsive care for LGBTQIA+ young people of colour.

This project has been developed in partnership with community organisations and LGBTQIA+ young people of colour to help support affirming and inclusive processes.

GETTING involved

Register your interest here.

Or, for more information, please contact Dr Isabel Zbukvic (project coordinator) at isabel.zbukvic@orygen.org.au. Julie Youssef (co-investigator and peer researcher with lived experience) can be contacted or at julie.youssef@unimelb.edu.au. Both Isabel and Julie can be contacted during business hours (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) on +61 477 209 176.

This study is a partnership between University of Melbourne, Orygen, Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, Centre for Multicultural Youth, Drummond Street Services and Telethon Kids Institute. It is funded by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute.

This study has been ethics approved - HREC 2022-20864-25209-7.