Mental health and wellbeing is something we should all be aware of and it's more than just ‘disorders’ or ‘mental illness’ - it’s also about looking after yourself in terms of how you feel about yourself, your stress levels and attitude to life.

Unfortunately young same-sex attracted people are often exposed to some unique stressors in their lives which can affect how they feel about themselves. First of all coming to terms with your sexuality can be a particularly stressful period in your life. You may not immediately understand the feelings you have and may be afraid of how others may react.

Homophobia can also have a significant negative effect on our lives. Click here for more info on homophobia.

For more general information on mental health, check out ACON's Mental Health + Wellbeing section.

Find out more

If you'd like to speak to a counsellor about an issue that is affecting your life then there are several options.

ACON Counsellors

Tel: (02) 9206 2000

Web: Click here for more information on seeing a counsellor at ACON

Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service

Provides telephone counselling. Operates 5.30pm – 10.30pm Monday to Friday.

Tel: (Sydney) 8594 9596 (Outside Sydney) 1800 184 527

Web: www.glcs.org.au

Lifeline

Lifeline operates a telephone counselling service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service is not GLBT specific.

Tel: 11 13 14

Web: www.lifeline.org.au

Kids Helpline

Provides phone, web and email counselling to people aged 5 to 25.

Tel: 1800 551 800

Web: www.kidshelp.com.au

Reach Out!

Reach Out! is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times. It has loads of information about mental health and listings of other services.

Web: www.reachout.com.au

BeyondBlue

National depression initiative.

Web: www.beyondblue.org.au

More info

Contact: ACON's Fun & Esteem Project (for guys) or the Young Women's Project

Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

E-mail: youth@acon.org.au