Transcript Slide 1

LGBT Youth Suicide Prevention Project
Opening Doors
Open Doors Youth Service Inc.
Sally Morris
Suicide Prevention Project Worker
3 Julia St, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006
[email protected]
www.opendoors.net.au
(07) 3257 7660
Project funded by Queensland Department of Communities
Workshop Aims
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To gain awareness of the needs and experiences of
LGBT young people
To identify local supports that are available and
accessible to LGBT young people and identify the
gaps in available supports
To consider different types of support structures that
will suit this community
To establish a local working group that will work
towards providing safe places and accessible services
to LGBT young people
To create strong local networks that will support
services working with LGBT young people
Project Values
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All young people have the right to be themselves &
express their unique sexual & gender identity
All young people have the right to be safe and to be
kept from harm
All young people have the right to have access to
education
All young people have the right to have access to
health information and health services
All young people have the right to have access to
support and support services
All young people have the right to form healthy
friendships and relationships
All LGBT young people have a right to participate fully
in the life of Queensland
5 Questions
• Everyone has a piece of paper with 5 questions
on it.
• Answer the first question, fold over your answer,
and pass the piece of paper on to the person on
your left.
• Answer the second question on this new piece
of paper, fold over your answer, and pass the
piece of paper on to the person on your left.
• Keep going until you have answered all 5
questions.
• No looking at previous answers!
Let’s try on some other peoples
shoes
• For the rest of the morning you are this
young person.
• You are a young person who lives in this
community.
• Think about what you might experience as
this young person.
What we are taught…
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We are taught to be heterosexual
We are not taught how to be gay
We are taught not to be gay
The Journey of Identity Formation
• Identity Confusion - This is the "who am I?"
stage, associated with feelings of difference and
personal alienation. Begins to be conscious of
same-sex feelings or behaviors. “I might not be
100% straight.” “I am different to everyone else”
• “Identity Comparison - Rationalising and
bargaining stage. Questioning what these
feelings mean and possible futures. Great deal
of isolation. “If I am gay, what does that mean for
me?” “Does this fit with who and what I am
supposed to be?”
Viv Cass Gay and Lesbian Identity
Development Model (1979)
The Journey of Identity Formation
• Identity Tolerance May begin to meet other
LGBT individuals to counter loneliness, but
merely tolerates rather than accepts identity. “I
am gay, what are other gay people like? Is this
me?” “Where do I fit?”
• Identity Acceptance - Continued and increased
contact with other LGBT individuals. More
positive view of other gays and lesbians. Greater
sense of belonging and identity. “I am gay, that’s
ok” Life can become a gay bubble or split
heterosexual/gay
life to balance responsibilities.
Viv Cass Gay and Lesbian Identity
Development Model (1979)
The Journey of Identity Formation
• Identity Pride - Greater feeling of "these are my
people." Begins to see incongruity between
pride in identity and societal rejection. More
involvement and immersion into culture and
lifestyle. Often intense anger at heterosexuals a "them" and "us" attitude.
• Identity Synthesis - Begins to see less of a
dichotomy between heterosexual and
homosexual worlds. Less anger. The gay/lesbian
identity becomes an integral part of the
individual's complete personality structure.
Viv Cass Gay and Lesbian Identity
Development Model (1979)
Let’s take these shoes for a walk
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What impact do heterosexist and
homophobic messages have on how you
might view yourself?
How might these messages impact on
your journey through identity formation to
form a positive self image?
Who might fare better or worse?
Why? Why not?
Homophobia
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If your sexuality doesn’t match what is being taught this is a
traumatic experience, and there is a journey that needs to
be taken for LGBT people to have a positive identity
Negative cultural messages about sexual differences are
often assumed by LGBT young people as part of their selfimage, resulting in a sense of shame, guilt and selfloathing.
Homophobia is a barrier to self acceptance and developing
a positive self image
Each individuals experience will be different
The environment around a person impacts significantly on
identity formation, and how LGBT young people feel about
themselves in the early stages of realisation.
Cultural, gender, religious, disability etc. difference also
effects an individuals experience of identity formation.
Homophobia
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Positive gay role models, other out
people who have been accepted, a
school which promotes diversity,
supports use gender neutral terms
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No gay role models, reinforcement of
gay stereotypes, regularly hearing
homophobic messages, silence about
homosexuality, rigid religious beliefs,
cultural barriers, disability
Let’s take these shoes for a walk
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Who is visible as being gay?
Who is experiencing isolation?
What are the impacts of this?
Who has a positive role model?
Who has access to positive
support?
Invisibility and Isolation
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Invisibility of gay people is a silent form of
homophobia.
Research indicates that most suicide attempts
occur before a young person ‘comes out’ to
others as gay.
In other words, the young people most at risk
are not necessarily identifiable and indeed may
be going to great lengths to remain invisible.
Invisibility is compounded by other forms of
difference, such as culture or disability.
Let’s take these shoes for a walk
• Who is experiencing bullying or violence?
• Where is this occurring?
• What messages does this give to other young
people?
• Who would be at risk of bullying/violence if they
came out?
• Who would feel safe to disclose their sexuality?
Bullying and Violence
• Bullying and violence are visual forms of
homophobia.
• Those who do not conform to gender and
sexuality norms are more likely to
experience bullying and violence including
verbal, physical and sexual abuse.
• Young people are most likely to
experience this at school, with young men
most likely to be targeted.
Let’s take these shoes for a walk
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Who thinks that they (as your alter ego) could
be at risk of suicide?
Why? Why not?
What are your protective factors?
Suicide
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LGBT young people are at much higher risk of
suicide due to a variety of experiences
including isolation, bullying, violence and a
lack of support.
Protective Factors:
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supportive family and friends
social connectedness
supportive environments and sensitive support
people
positive role models
local service delivery
supports who respond to homophobia
It’s important to be yourself
because….
Morning Tea
15 minutes
How and where can LGBT young people
feel safe to be themselves?
What would we like to see
for LGBT young people in
this community?
What are we already doing
to support LGBT young
people to feel safe to be
themselves?
What are the gaps in
service delivery?
What are the barriers to
working with LGBT young
people in this community?
Being an Advocate for
LGBT Young People
• Break up into small groups.
• What are your top 3 concerns about
providing support to LGBT young people?
Being an Advocate for
LGBT Young People
• Swap your list of concerns with another
group.
• What are some possible solutions to these
concerns?
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
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Break up into 4 small groups.
Each group has a case study of a model of
delivery for an LGBT group.
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Discuss 3 pros and 3 cons of this model if it
were to be implemented in this community.
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
• Which aspects of these
models of support would
suit this community and
its LGBT young people?
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
• Which meets the needs
of the community and fills
the identified gaps?
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
• Which ensures safety and
confidentiality of the
young people
participating?
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
• What can we do with
what resources we do
have?
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
• What space would suit
you (your alter ego)?
Safe Places
for LGBT Young People
What needs to be thought about
before creating a safe space?
Target Group
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Target Group
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Age group
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Under 18s
Over 18s
Lower age group
Mixing different age groups
Rigid verses flexible
Gender
Cultural groups
Location and Venue
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The location of a activity can occur in numerous
places, including
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youth service
health service
café
park
virtual spaces
Before deciding upon a venue, the safety of the young
people must be considered, taking into account:
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Who else uses that space?
Would the young people be vulnerable to others who may be
abusive or prejudiced?
Would the young people be vulnerable to older people who
may wish to take advantage of them?
Will the activities annoy other people who use that space?
Would the young people want to access that space?
Is there regular and reliable transport?
Supervision
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Local Working Group members
Staff members of local service providers
Volunteers who are deemed appropriate
Number of staff supervising
Role of staff members
Roster systems
It is essential that any service provider or
volunteer supervising the safe place
possess a current Blue Card
Confidentiality
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Risk of exposure can stop young people
from participating.
Significant consequences if the sexuality
or gender identity of a young person is
divulged without their knowledge or
consent.
Implementation of a confidentiality or
privacy policy.
Discussing the identity of young people
to participate in any planned activities
without their prior consent.
Safety and Risk Management
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LGBT young people often have numerous risk
factors that increase their vulnerability.
The safety of participants should be taken into
consideration when creating a structure and
planning activities, including:
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young people travelling to and from the
group/service
supporting young people to make safety plans re:
coming out and existing bullying
minimise risk of the young people being exploited
by adults involved
advertising location of space
monitoring who attends the space
Promotion
• Posters
• Flyers/brochures
• Contact with key referral pathways
– School Based Youth Nurses
– Guidance counsellors
– Youth services
– Health Services
– Centrelink social workers
Resources
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Resources and information should be made
available to young people participating in the
safe place.
Resources created by Open Doors can be
ordered by emailing [email protected]
or phoning (07) 3257 7660.
Numerous additional downloadable resources
and links to relevant organisations can be
found at www.opendoors-youthservice.org
Funding
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Grants of up to $5000 are available from
Queensland Association of Healthy
Communities, Healthy Community Fund
for initiatives that promote the health &
wellbeing of LGBT Queenslanders.
Application forms can be found at
www.qahc.org.au/fund
Afternoon Tea
15 minutes
Local Working Group
• A group of local service providers working
together towards developing and
implementing effective and specific
solutions for LGBT young people of the
local community
• To help local service providers who
provide support to LGBT young people to
be connected, informed and supported.
• Local Working Group Guide
Local Working Group - Goals
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To promote diversity and reduce isolation, homophobia and
discrimination in organisations, schools and the community
generally.
To develop and implement approaches to working with
LGBT young people, including spaces where LGBT young
people can feel safe to be themselves.
To support the ongoing maintenance of LGBT safe spaces.
To encourage and support local services to become more
accessible and meet the needs of LGBT young people.
To provide support to services and individuals who are
working with LGBT young people.
To encourage collaborative working relationships between
organisations throughout the community in the design and
delivery of support to LGBT young people.
To distribute information and resources about sexuality and
gender identity to local service providers.
Local Working Group - Roles
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The group will nominate a member to act as convener
for meeting purposes.
The convener will be responsible for:
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arranging meeting times and locations that are convenient to
the majority of participants
communicating with members about meetings, decisions,
plans and progress
communicating with the Suicide Prevention Project Worker at
Open Doors about meetings, decisions, plans and progress
facilitating discussions at meetings
ensuring that participants are suitable for membership and act
in accordance with the values and purpose of the project.
The group is able to determine and approve the need
for further designated roles, such as minute taker,
resource collector and distributer, funding seeker, etc.
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Local Working Group Responsibilities
To ensure that the safety and privacy of LGBT young
people is maintained.
To hold regular meetings to plan how to establish and
maintain a safe place for LGBT young people.
To consult with the community about what is to be
implemented.
To make informed decisions about what to implement.
To carry out decisions and implement support
structures.
To consult with the Open Doors Youth Service Suicide
Prevention Project Worker about plans,
recommendations and activities.
To regularly seek advice/guidance/feedback from the
Suicide Prevention Project worker.
Local Working Group –
Communication
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Meetings
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Meetings should be held every month.
It is expected that members of the Local Working Group
attend meetings and participate in the discussion of plans and
decision-making.
With Local Working Group members
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Members of the Local Working Group should be kept informed
about meetings, plans and progress via an email list or forum.
With Suicide Prevention Project worker
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The Open Doors Suicide Prevention Project worker should be
included in any communication and be informed about
meetings, plans and progress throughout the length of the
project (currently until August 2009).
Local Working Group –
Support
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The Open Doors Suicide Prevention Project Worker will:
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Remain in regular contact with the Local Working Group and other
local service providers who are supporting LGBT young people and
provide guidance, support, information and assistance where
possible.
Provide the community with relevant LGBT resources and
information.
Promote the project and participation in the project to the community.
Open Doors Service Providers website
(www.opendoors-youthservice.org) will provide access to:
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Service Providers Network
Service Providers Forum
downloadable resources including posters, brochures and pamphlets
relevant research papers
links to relevant LGBT organisations and support structures
throughout Queensland and Australia
Local Working Group –
Membership
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Membership should reflect a mix of individuals with
relevant skills and expertise from across the
community, including
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local youth and welfare services
local health services
local schools and education support staff
LGBT young people
Other relevant agencies that provide support to young people
All members of the Local Working Group shall accept
and act in accordance with the project’s values and
purpose.
It is highly recommended that participants hold a Blue
Card.
Local Working Group Membership
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Who would like to be in the Local Working
Group?
Who will take a leadership role?
Who would like to be responsible for
resources?
Are there any key young people who should
be involved?
When and were should this group have its first
meeting?
Keeping Connected and Informed
Open Doors Service Providers Network
• A statewide network for organisations and
workers who facilitate groups, coordinate
projects, work with or provide accessible
services to LGBT young people across
Queensland.
– Open Doors Service Providers Network database
which is made public and whose information is made
available to service providers. Located online at
www.opendoors-youthservice.org
– Organisations must register and be accepted to the
network for their details to be listed.
Keeping Connected and Informed
Open Doors Service Providers Forum
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Located on the Open Doors services provider
website.
For service providers who are working with
LGBT young people to:
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remain connected
share stories
ask questions and seek advice
share resources
The forum will have conversation threads for
each location.
Keeping Connected and Informed
• Suicide Prevention Project Worker
– regular communication
– support, advice, information
– resources
• Website - www.opendoors-youthservice.org
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Service Providers Network
Service Providers Forum
research papers
downloadable resources
links to useful organisations
• Local Working Group
Keeping Connected and Informed
• Next workshop
– March/April next year
– Will be tailored to meet the specific
needs of this community
– Include a focus on:
• responding to barriers and challenges
experienced
• advancing plans for a drop-in safe place
• providing inclusive and accessible services
• providing direct support to LGBT young
people
Useful Reading
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Can be found on Open Doors Service Providers
Website www.opendoors-youthservice.org
“Not Round Here” Miller (2000) A manual for Rural Service
Providers on Affirming Diversity and Challenging Homophobia
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“Coming Out Alone” by Trinity Outreach Services (2005) An
assessment of the needs of same sex attracted youth, their families, and
service providers in Western Australia
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“Working with Same Sex Attracted and Transgender
Young People” by Marshall (2006) Opportunities and challenges
that service providers have encountered supporting LGBT young people
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“Way Out” Report by Hackney & Hillier (2005) review of
rural Victorian sexual diversity projects
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“Access All Areas” Twenty10 (2007) A best practice resource
kit for the provision of services to LGBT young people.
Resources
• Resource packs
– The Only Way Out is In (Open Doors)
– Exploring Fantasies (Open Doors)
– Longreach for Outreach (PFLAG)
– Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association
– posters
– rainbow sticker
• More downloadable resources can be
found at www.opendoors-youthservice.org
Thank you!
Please keep in contact and look
out for the next workshop!