The National LGBTI Health Alliance has announced a new project that encourages gay men to  become ‘lifeguards’ for their friends.
The new project is a collaboration between the Health Alliance, beyondblue and the Movember Foundation.
The project aims to create a community conversation and encourage gay men to become more educated about mental health issues.
The LGBTI community has one of the highest rates of suicide in Australia, and LGBTIQ people experience higher rates of anxiety and depression.
The Lifeguard project aims to give gay men grater confidence, knowledge and skills to be come ‘Lifeguards’ in their social networks.
The project will involve an interactive website that will contain practical strategies, advice and actions. To make sure the toolkit meets the diverse needs of the LGBTIQ communities the project team plans to work closely with representatives from  a variety of backgrounds.
The new toolkit is expected to be trialled in 2015. The project has recieved $410,000 funding from beyondblue with donations from the Movember Foundation.
Rebecca Reynolds the Executive Director of the National LGBTI Health Alliance said the project would provide a new level of support.
“This project will provide a whole new level of support to gay male identified individuals and communities by encouraging them to be confident and to know how and when to help their mates experiencing anxiety and depression and how and when to encourage their mates to seek help and support. Reynolds said.
If you are struggling with depression or anxiety you can learn more and develop an action plan at beyondblue.
You can also speak to a peer community counselor through the Q-Life project by calling 1800 184 527 or via web chat at www.qlife.org.au Q-Life operates 7 days a week from 5:30pm – 10:30pm.
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