Who We Are:

Switchboard provides peer-driven support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities. We have a range of different programs offering peer-to-peer support in areas including gender and sexuality, diverse relationships, suicide prevention, family violence support, anti-racism advocacy, and social inclusion for older LGBTI community.

Out Existing Programs:

/ Peer Support - QLIFE
Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national telephone and web counselling, information and referral service QLife. This free peer based service is for LGBTIQA+ identifying people and those who have questions or concerns about LGBTIQA+ issues. This includes families, friends, teachers and coworkers of LGBTIQA+ people. This service is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health.

/ Support and Referral - Rainbow Door
Rainbow Door is a free, specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline. Experienced LGBTIQA+ peers provide information, referral, and support to enable LGBTIQA+ people, their friends, and their families to navigate the system and access the supports they need within a safe environment. Rainbow Door support is available to LGBTIQA+ people of all ages and identities with issues that may include family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, suicidal thoughts, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health, and wellbeing. Rainbow door also offers secondary consultations for service providers working with LGBTIQA+ people, their friends, and families.

/ LGBTI+ Older People - Out & About Program
Switchboard runs Out and About, a free peer homevisiting service for LGBTI+ Victorians at risk of social isolation. The program provides social visits, events, and skills-sharing workshops to enhance friendship and community connections for older LGBTI+ Victorians. Out and About is a state-wide service, coordinated in partnership with the National Community Visitors Scheme.

/ Anti Racism - QTIBPoC Program
Switchboard is committed to ensuring that our work and service addresses the intersections between different forms of inequality, discrimination and disadvantage, including colonisation, racism and immigration status, and the role that these play in the oppression and discrimination of LGBTIQA+ peoples. The QTIBPoC program runs skills-sharing workshops to promote resilience, positive mental health and wellbeing within QTIBPoC communities, as well as professional development, trainings and consultations on anti-racism and racial literacy for broader communities. Our QTIBPoC program is guided by our QTIBPoC Advisory Committee and aims to build greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k and/or People of Colour and People of Faith.

/ Suicide Prevention Program
Switchboard is the national leading organisation providing peer-led suicide prevention, intervention and postvention programs to LGBTIQA+ people, with a strong emphasis on building community resilience through peer-led and lived experience activities.The Suicide Prevention Program runs a range of skills-sharing workshops and webinars for LGBTIQA+ communities, and a regular 8-week support group for suicide bereavement. Our suicide awareness and intervention skills trainings are delivered using empirically tested models, developed by LivingWorks.

To find out more and to get involved go to www.switchboard.org.au