Thank you for your interest in taking part in this co-design project. Before diving in, let's learn more about what it's about, who we want to talk to and how you can contribute.

A quick note:

This project is about suicide and suicidal distress. We appreciate that some of you might not be in the space to read or think about suicide at the moment. Please only continue if it feels right for you. You can find information about support services here.

What is this project about?

Impact Co. is working with the Victorian Department of Health to co-design an aftercare service for LGBTIQA+ people.

The project stems from Recommendation 27 of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System which identified the need for additional services and supports for people experiencing suicidal distress, including the need for an LGBTIQA+ specific aftercare service.

The project is at it's mid-way point. Impact Co. has already conducted multiple workshops with LGBTIQA+ people with lived experience. This has included people with lived experience of suicidal distress, suicide attempts and self harm, people with lived experience caring or supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress, suicide attempts and self harm, and those with experience being bereaved by suicide. Based on these workshops, Impact Co. has developed a draft report that outlines what this future service should look like.

Who we want to hear from

To make sure this service meets the needs of the LGBTIQA+ community, we are conducting virtual surveys with the following groups:

• LGBTIQA+ individuals with lived and living experience of suicidal distress
• family members, carers and supporters of LGBTIQA+ individuals who have experienced suicidal distress and those who have been bereaved by suicide
• service providers or organisations who provide suicide prevention, response and bereavement support to LGBTIQA+ individuals and their family members, carers and supporters.

Want to take part?

There are three options for you to contribute on this platform.

1. Complete the individual survey if you are someone who identifies as LGBTIQA+ and has lived experience of suicidal distress or supporting someone who has this experience.
2. Complete the service provider survey if you work at a service provider or organisation that provides suicide prevention and/or bereavement support to the LGBTIQA+ community.
3. Complete an open text survey if you would prefer not to be limited to survey questions. This will involve reading summary information about what has been heard so far and providing feedback in a free text box.

You are welcome to provide feedback through more than one option (e.g. if you have further feedback after completing the individual or service provider survey then you can also complete the open text survey).

What happens next?

These surveys will be available until 5pm on 26 April 2024. After this time, we will start analysing the results and incorporating all the research from the project into a final report. This report will be delivered to the Victorian Department of Health in April 2024. After this, Impact Co.'s role in the project will end and the Department will make steps to tender the service.