Mental Health Services Adelaide | Finding the Right Service

For LGBTIQA+ communities, the rates of anxiety and depression are higher, largely because of discrimination and prejudice such as homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and intersexism. Queer youth also have an increased risk of self-harm and suicide. Trauma, past experiences of discrimination and negative treatment from mainstream support services can be a barrier to LGBTIQA+ folks seeking mental health care.

Queer-friendly mental health care providers can be lifesaving for LGBTIQA+ folks struggling with their mental health. If you’re searching for a safe and affirming space to support your mental health, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll share more about our LGBTIQA+ specialist services and recommend other Adelaide-based resources that can offer support in times of need.

LGBTIQA+ Mental Health Adelaide

Thorne Harbour Health offers free mental health services for and by community members – as well as people living with HIV, regardless of their gender or sexuality. Most of our staff are LGBTIQA+ themselves, and all have the motivation, experience and training to serve LGBTIQA+ clients. We offer trauma-informed, sex-positive, gender- and sexuality-affirming services.

• Trauma-informed means our practitioners understand that traumatic experiences can have a lifelong and profound impact on people’s mental health. We work sensitively to avoid re-traumatisation and will only discuss experiences you feel comfortable sharing. We will never blame you for the things that have happened to you or for the ways you’ve learnt to cope with the trauma. Instead, we will work collaboratively to empower you and offer you hope for the future.

• Sex-positive means we’ll never judge or shame you for your sexual experiences. We strive to create a space where you can share your sexual desires and concerns, while also highlighting the importance of safety, boundaries and consent. Because LGBTIQA+ sexuality is still stigmatised in some communities, having a mental health provider that encourages you to embrace your sexuality can be powerful on your road to mental wellbeing.

• Gender- and sexuality-affirming means our practitioners will never question or doubt your identity. Who you are is something we embrace and celebrate. We recognise how important your gender and sexuality are to your identity and acknowledge how your identity goes hand in hand with your mental health.

We provide peer support, group work, brief counselling, psychological therapies and clinical care coordination. If your mental health has impacted your relationship with alcohol and/or other drugs, we also can help you navigate your use with our AOD services. Whatever your needs, we can help connect you to the best support for you.

Other Mental Health Services Adelaide

While we offer a broad range of services intended to support as many as possible in our communities, there are other options for support in Adelaide. We recommend the following services for people living with HIV or LGBTIQA+ folk.

Non-Urgent Mental Health Support

• If you’re looking for a free walk-in mental health clinic in the North and South of Adelaide, you can go to the Northern Adelaide Head to Health centre, located at 23 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth, 5112; or to the Southern Wellbeing Hub (Neami National), located at 4/118 Main South Rd, Morphett Vale SA 5162. Here, you’ll find free services and a calm environment for adults experiencing a mental health crisis, distress, or suicidal thoughts.
• You can also stop by Safe Haven, located at 9 Johns Street, Salisbury, 5108. Safe Haven is a free walk-in mental health service. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or distressed, Safe Haven will provide you with a cup of coffee and a listening ear. They can also connect you to other services that can help. No referral or appointment is required.
• Other organisations can offer you with mental health support over the phone or online. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. You can contact QLife at 1800 184 527 or chat online at qlife.org.au from 2:30pm–11:30 pm, seven days a week.
• Beyond Blue is a free, national mental health service that provides 24/7 brief phone or online counselling. To speak with a counsellor, call 1300 22 4636 or chat to a counsellor online - Beyond Blue Webchat Support Service - Beyond Blue
• Lived Experience Telephone Support Service (LETSS) is a mental health Adelaide service that offers support and understanding from people who have lived experience with mental health struggles. For phone counselling, call LETSS at 1800 013 755 between 5pm–11:30pm or chat online at letss.org.au.

Urgent Mental Health Support

If you need emergency assistance due to a mental health crisis, please reach out to a service immediately.

• Go to the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre, located at 215 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, 5000, open 24/7
• Go to your local hospital emergency department
• Call Mental Health Triage on13 14 65, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Emergency on 000
• Contact Suicidal Call Back Service at 1300 659 467, available 24/7 or chat online at suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

To find more information on our mental health services or to submit a referral form, head here.