The Andrews Labor Government is providing more support to LGBTIQ+ Victorians and their family in the Latrobe Valley with new free counselling at Anglicare Victoria.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today launched the new $2.5 million QSpace initiative at Anglicare Gippsland, delivered by Drummond Street Services and its community partners.

QSpace provides specialist family counselling, assistance, online resources and information for LGBTIQ+ locals and the community, in an environment where they feel safe and valued.

The Labor Government is supporting equality for LGBTIQ+ Victorians who experience greater mental illness, suicidal thoughts, homelessness, substance abuse and intimate partner and family violence – exacerbated by the challenges of the pandemic.

QSpace will also be available through a network of regional and rural community partners including Anglicare Victoria (Gippsland and Kyneton), Mallee Family Care (Mildura), Upper Murray Family Care (Wodonga) and Drummond Street Service – Queerspace (Geelong).

Drummond Street Services was founded in 1887 and is one of the longest-serving welfare organisations in Australia, running counselling and groups for LGBTIQ+ people since the 1960s.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 includes a record $3.8 billion investment in mental health and wellbeing services and support, including $21.3 million over four years for trans and gender diverse young people and $26.2 million over four years for diverse communities including LGBTIQ+, CALD Victorians and people with disability.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“QSpace will be vital to LGBTIQ+ people and their families in the Latrobe Valley and in Gippsland – it will provide much needed access to mental health and support services that our local community deserves, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Mental Health James Merlino

“Every Victorian deserves the best mental health support close to home – QSpace will make sure the LGBTIQ+ community across the state can access safe and inclusive services.”