By Holly McGuinness
A sea of purple could be seen at Sunshine headspace on Friday as staff celebrated Wear it Purple Day creating visibility for and celebrating young LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Wear it Purple Day is an annual LGBTIQA+ awareness day especially for young people.
Access team clinician Hayden Williams said headspace supported many young people who are LGBTQIA+ to affirm these parts of their lives and to feel confident in themselves at home, school and in the community.
Headspace reported that 61 per cent of LGBTQIA+ young people they survey experience high or very high levels of psychological distress, more than double that of heterosexual and cisgender individuals.
“The teenage years are a time when many of us get a sense of our gender identity and sexuality or when new questions may arise,” Hayden said.
They encourage anyone who is aged between 12 – 25 who may have questions about their identity to reach out to the team.
Headspace national clinical advisor Rupert Saunders said it is vital we work towards making society a place that’s respectful and welcoming to all, especially to queer young people.
Mr Saunders says to become a good ally individuals can get informed and learn about LGBQTIA+ experiences, open communication, speak up when you see hateful behaviour and look for signs of mental distress to help direct people to get help.
