Year

2022

PROJECT STATUS

Implementation

CHIEF INVESTIGATORS & PROJECT STAFF

Dr Roanna Lobo (Curtin University), Mr Bruce Lim (Curtin University)

ETHICS APPROVAL

The Human Research and Ethics Committee at Curtin University has approved this research project (HRE2022-0214).

BRIEF OVERVIEW

In Australia, a higher percentage of sexuality-and gender-diverse youth face mental health issues than the general population. This inequity increases for such youth living in regional areas. Also, regional sexuality- and gender-diverse youth may find it harder to access mental health services than youth in capital cities. This lack of access may shape inequities in mental health.

WAAC is running several programs together referred to as Freedom. Freedom is designed to enhance the wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ youth in WA. Freedom involves building community awareness and support, providing group therapy, peer-support services, and counselling. This project seeks to understand whether the regional Freedom counselling service is satisfying clients' needs and how.

FUNDING

NA

PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

WAAC

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Why Is This Research Being Done?

  • To assess whether the Freedom Counselling Service is meeting the needs of LGBTIQA+ youth living in regional WA and how.
  • To identify how regional Freedom Counselling Services might be improved.
  • To inform other mental health services on how to become more accessible for LGBTIQA+ youth in regional Australia.

ANY OTHER INFORMATION

Interested in Participating?

You can take part in this project if you are a current or past client of the Freedom Counselling Service.

Please know that:
• Participation is voluntary and confidential
• You can withdraw from the project any time
• Research is being conducted by Curtin University, not Freedom or WAAC
• Freedom counsellors will not know who participates or what individual clients have said

Register your interest if you would like to take part in an online or phone interview by clicking on the link below.

Yes please, I am interested.

Who Can I Contact for More Information?

Chief Investigator: Dr Roanna Lobo (she/her/hers)
roanna.lobo@curtin.edu.au
(08) 9266 1101

Student Researcher: Mr Bruce Lim (he/him/his)
bruce.lim@student.curtin.edu.au

Should you wish to discuss the study with someone not directly involved, in particular, any matters concerning the conduct of the study or your rights as a participant, or you wish to make a confidential complaint, you may contact the Ethics Officer on (08) 9266 9223 or the Research Integrity Manager on (08) 9266 7093 or email hrec@curtin.edu.au.