Oral Presentation National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026

Background:
The MindOut Champions Project was established in 2013 to strengthen LGBTIQ+ inclusion in mental health and suicide prevention settings. Recognising that many organisations are time-poor or resource-constrained, the Project provides free, entry-level support to individuals and services seeking practical ways to deliver culturally safe, inclusive care. By building peer connection and leadership capability, it enables individuals to influence organisational practices and contribute to broader sector change—critical to reducing suicide risk linked to stigma and exclusion.

Methods: A qualitative evaluation was undertaken using surveys and focus groups with current and past Champions, sector professionals, and LGBTIQ+ community members.

Results: 
Thirty organisations across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, disability, and education engaged with the Project. Champions represented diverse roles, from clinicians to peer workers and policy staff. Program activities combined foundational training, monthly peer learning, coaching, and access to the LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Audit Tool.

Findings highlighted multi-level impact:

• Individual: Champions reported increased confidence, reduced isolation, and a safe, affirming space to strengthen their leadership.
• Organisational: Champions initiated or advanced inclusion strategies such as gender affirmation policies and staff training, shifting from isolated advocates to recognised contributors in decision-making.
• Sector: The national network functioned as a community of practice, particularly valuable for Champions in smaller or regional organisations who benefited from shared strategies and peer learning.

Conclusions:

Two key insights emerged: peer connection is a critical driver of confidence and persistence for inclusion advocates; and Champions translated knowledge into tangible organisational change, embedding inclusive practice within everyday service delivery. The evaluation demonstrates the value of scalable, peer-based initiatives in addressing systemic barriers that contribute to suicide risk among LGBTIQ+ people. By empowering individuals and connecting them through a national network, the MindOut Champions Project has achieved sustained multi-level impact more than a decade after its establishment.

By enabling individuals to create change in multiple ways and connecting them through a national network, the Project has achieved multi-level impact that continues to evolve more than a decade after its establishment.