Optimise+ is a national research project exploring the strengths of LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations and how these strengths can contribute to better mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) care for LGBTQ+ people.

The research is led by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University, in partnership with The Kids Research Institute Australia, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, and 12 other LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations across Australia.

What did Optimise+ find?

Phase One of Optimise+ worked with 16 LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations across Australia to understand the services they provide, where they operate and what makes their approach distinctive.

The findings highlight several features of LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations, including leadership grounded in lived experience, responsiveness to the needs of LGBTQ+ people, holistic support, collaborative partnerships and community building. Their practice is also shaped by strong community knowledge, shared understanding and a focus on creating safe, inclusive and accepting services.

The resource provides a snapshot of these findings and explains how LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations bring distinctive strengths to mental health and AOD service delivery.

Findings from Phase One of Optimise+

About Optimise+

Optimise+ is being conducted across four phases, examining LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations, the experiences of service users and providers, distinctive practice approaches and interventions, and how these organisations fit within the broader health system.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is a partner in Optimise+, alongside ACON, Thorne Harbour Health, TransFolk WA, Living Proud, Queensland Council for LGBTI Health, Twenty10, Transgender Victoria, Meridian, A Gender Agenda, Working It Out, Minus18 and Switchboard.

Optimise+ is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund.