Principles for effective support

There are a range of best practice approaches to providing support for people with mental illness.

These approaches to providing effective and respectful care are outlined in the NSW Health principles for effective support, and can be tailored to LGBTIQ+ clients in CAMHS.

Recovery-oriented approach

This approach aims to support individuals to achieve their self-defined optimal personal, social and emotional wellbeing while living with or recovering from a mental health issue.

As part of a recovery-oriented approach:

• Understand and respect the client’s self-defined LGBTQ+ identity and/or experience of intersex variations.
• Understand their goals may look different to those of other young people or society’s expectations.
• Acknowledge specific experiences with stigma and discrimination, and validate and honour the client as worthy of care.
• Treat each client with dignity and respect, listen and show that insights about their care are valued.
• Avoid assumptions about client experiences or needs based on stereotypes or biases.
• Support the client to make their own choices and decisions about how they want to be addressed, supported and undertake their recovery process.
• Support and advocate for clients in non-affirming contexts to able be to make choices aligned with their authentic selves and personal experiences.
• Recognise the diverse experiences of people with mental health conditions, including the discrimination and stigma LGBTIQ+ individuals face.
• Consider how these challenges may impact their mental health and recovery journey in your clinical practice.
• Support the client’s aspirations and life goals while being mindful of the additional barriers they may face due to their LGBTQ+ identity or intersex variation.
• Encourage and support the pursuit of a fulfilling life and refer to LGBTIQ+ role models and community, where possible.
• Provide support to build independence in a way that respects and supports unique identity and experiences. This means acknowledging the role of community, relationships and chosen family as essential to the resilience of LGBTIQ+ people.

Person-led approach

This approach keeps the individual’s own perspective of their needs and aspirations at the centre of their care.

As part of a person-led approach:

• Ensure the client is actively involved in decisions about their care and life.
• Incorporate LGBTQ+ identity and/or experience of having an intersex variation into the client’s care plan.
• Support and advocate for your client’s right to be affirmed in gender identity, sexuality and lived experience of having an intersex variation.
• Take into account the client’s life experiences, including their LGBTQ+ identity, innate variation of sex characteristics, age, gender, culture, beliefs and any other personal factors.
• Acknowledge that the client’s background and LGBTIQ+ identity shape their needs and aspirations.
• Tailor support to reflect the client's unique challenges and needs.
• Be flexible and curious in accommodating and advocating for the client's rights and addressing any specific barriers.
• Recognise and build on strengths and resilience.
• Acknowledge experiences and contributions while supporting autonomy and self-determination.
• Work with the client’s support network to address any issues related to their experiences and encourage a supportive environment.
• Be aware of the different cultural norms of family, community and relationships in LGBTIQ+ lives.
• Support the client to maintain control over how their experience is expressed and respected in their care.
• Work alongside the client and empower them to make decisions about support that aligns with their lived experience.

Trauma-informed care

Trauma-informed care recognises and responds to the impact of trauma on individuals, providing support that promotes safety, trust and empowerment.

As part of a trauma-informed approach:

• Create an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for LGBTIQ+ clients.
• Use gender-neutral language and display symbols or materials that signal support.
• Address and prevent any form of discrimination or bias, and empower bodily autonomy.
• Build trust by being sensitive to needs and experiences, showing consistency and being reliable in interactions.
• Be aware that some clients may have had past negative experiences when seeking support and healthcare.
• Validate experiences and concerns related to sexuality and gender identity, or intersex variations.
• Demonstrate that needs are understood and addressed with respect and empathy.
• Provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ clients to make choices about how their identity is acknowledged and respected.
• Allow clients to choose how they are addressed, and how gender identity and sexual orientation are incorporated into their care.
• Approach support as a partnership.
• Engage with clients to co-create care plans that respect their identities and experiences, community supports and ensure their input is valued and integrated into care.
• Empower clients by affirming their LGBTIQ+ identity and supporting their right to express themselves authentically.
• Assist clients in building confidence and self-efficacy in managing their own care and advocating for their needs.
• Respect diversity in all its forms, including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and innate variation of sex characteristics.
• Ensure support is inclusive and sensitive to the client's diverse experiences and further intersectionalities.

Holistic approach

A holistic approach addresses the whole person rather than focusing solely on mental health needs. Holistic support should consider physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.

As part of a holistic approach:

• Consider how LGBTQ+ identity and/or having an innate variation of sex characteristics affects each aspect of wellbeing, including their mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.
• Recognise these areas are interconnected and influence overall health and recovery.
• Avoid assumptions and recognise each client has their own distinct experiences and needs.
• Provide care that respects and integrates identity and experiences into the client’s support plan.
• Be mindful of the specific challenges and experiences faced by LGBTIQ+ clients.
• Use inclusive language and engage in open dialogue to understand a client’s needs and preferences regarding their identity and overall care.
• Support the client to express their identity freely and to make decisions that align with their authentic self.
• Support and respect the bodily autonomy and rights of clients with an intersex variation.
• Support individual rights and choices regarding wellbeing.