In an Australian first, Unboxed Pride has launched, offering LGBTQIA+ Australia a tailored online psychological resource to access mental health support on a national level. Unboxed Pride offers automated Medicare rebates and will be easily accessible to those in remote communities around Australia to help combat the national mental health epidemic.
What is mental health landscape of the community?
The statistics are staggering, when looking at Australia’s mental health crisis for LGBTQIA+ community members who are two and a half times more likely to have a mental health diagnosis (LGBTQIA+ Health Australia, 2021), specifically for those over the age of 16:
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Suicide attempts are almost six times more prevalent in the LGBTQIA+ population aged 18 and over (30.5%) than wider Australians (4.8%).
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Furthermore, transgender people aged 14-25 are fifteen times more likely to have attempted suicide in their lifetime.
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Suicidal ideation in the last 12 months (in 2021) was found in 59.1% of LGBTQIA+ people aged 16 – 17 and 41.9% in LGBTQIA + people over the age of 18, compared to 16.7% of Australians.
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60.5% of LGBTQIA+ people aged 18 and over have been diagnosed with depression, compared to 10.5% of the general population.
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47.20% of those LGBTQIA+ community aged 18 and over have reported being diagnosed with anxiety, whilst only 13.1% of the wider Australian population do.
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71% of LGBTQIA+ people aged 16-27 indicated that they did not use a crisis support service during their most recent mental health crisis.
Why is Unboxed Pride a timely solution?
Unboxed Pride’s highly qualified psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors have extensive experience in treating the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia specifically, allowing access to the platform. Offering evidence-based approaches with practical tools and techniques tailored to each person’s transformational journey, Unboxed Pride will become an invaluable resource for LGBTQIA+ in Australia and mental health professionals alike.
Founder of Unboxed Pride, David Cairncross said: “Until today, many LGBTQIA+ people In Australia have only been able to access out of context international therapy resources online. Whereas Unboxed Pride offers clients a selection of locally accredited therapists to provide the best possible care for LGBTQIA+ members seeking support that is in-context.”
“People are waiting months to see Psychologists with wait times longer than ever before, so this new resource allows us to support people in a more efficient and budget friendly way, with tailored psychological services for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
The platform empowers clients to choose their own therapist via an online catalogue using smart matching technology to offer personalised suggestions, based on their mental health goals or challenges. In addition, a free introductory call before scheduling an online consultation is also available to all users to ensure you feel comfortable with your therapist.
Unboxed Pride’s booking system is automated and their customer support is available six days a week for ongoing user support, ensuring a seamless user experience. Patients are also sent an onboarding SMS detailing everything they need for their first session ahead of the appointment. Payment is processed automatically, followed by the Medicare rebate.
The fee after a Medicare rebate has been applied are $83.35 for a Clinical Psychologist and $85.35 for a Registered Psychologist, Counsellors and Psychotherapists are $120.
For more information or to book an appointment, head to the website.
