LBGTI Support and Services
Going to see a doctor or health professional can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable.
Some people find talking about their health needs can be a
relief, but for others it can be overwhelming. Many young
people are worried about what questions they will be asked, whether
they can talk freely about their lives, and if perhaps they can
trust that their information will be kept confidential.
For LGBTI young people there may be an added worry - will they
be treated with respect if they talk about their sexuality or
gender identity? Sometimes these fears mean that a SSA young
person will avoid or put off getting help. Often this delay is due
to their fear that they might experience discrimination and poor
service. This delay can mean that their problems get worse or
that they take longer to recover because they did not get the care
they needed at the right time.
If you are worried about your health, but don't know where to go
for help, there are ways to decide who is the best person to
support you.
Finding the right support
Get recommendations:
Ask around your friends or family for names of health
professionals they know and trust. This is often the best way
to find someone that will make you feel comfortable about getting
help.
Do some research:
There are health services that promote the services they offer
to LBGTI young people or can help you find a service near
you. Websites like:
Go to health services to make to enquire about appointments
rather than contacting them over the phone:
This way you can check out the environment and if it does not
make you feel comfortable then you can thank them for their
information and try elsewhere.
Consider whether your local health service has the help that
you need:
It may not be a specific LGBTI focused service, but many local
health services provide quality care to a range of people within
the community
The other thing to think about is what information you are
comfortable to talk about. Generally doctors and health
professionals ask lots of questions to find out about what is
happening for you; these can be questions about your physical or
mental health, your local supports, any previous health problems,
and what you do with your time, amongst many more. Talking
about your sexuality or gender identity can often help the
doctor/health professional better understand your experiences, but
it is up to you what information you share. Sometimes talking
for a while about other aspects of your life will help you decide
whether you are comfortable to talk about your sexuality with the
health professional you are seeing.
Confidentiality
Doctors/health professionals must keep everything you talk to
them about confidential. The only exception is when they
think you are at risk from hurting yourself or someone else.
So while you might hesitate, doctors/health professionals are there
to help you with your health and can talk about a range of aspects
on your life including your sexuality or gender identity.
Finding a doctor/health professional you feel comfortable with
might take a few appointments but when you do you will be able to
return whenever health problems arise knowing that you will get the
care and respect you deserve.