LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has contributed to the national consultation on models of care for youth mental health, calling for urgent improvements in access, safety, and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ young people.

Our submission highlights key priorities: adopting the ABS 2020 Standard to guide inclusive data and service delivery; funding LGBTIQ+ community-controlled organisations; strengthening workforce training in inclusive practice; and ensuring young people retain safe access to online peer support and information.

We also emphasised the need for lived experience leadership and better system coordination, especially for young people with intersecting experiences of marginalisation.

These recommendations build on LHA’s National LGBTIQ+ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021–2026, and align with the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025–2035.

You can read the full submission here.