LGBTIQA+ Literacy and Responsiveness Education in a Clinical Mental Health Service

Jan Kilicaslan, Melissa Petrakis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: To report on implementing a workforce education and development initiative to enhance LGBTIQA+ literacy and responsiveness. Methods: An instrument of 7 questions was administered to staff who attended a 1-hour introductory training session on LGBTIQA+ literacy and responsiveness held across an Australian inner metropolitan clinical mental health service. Results: In total, 113 questionnaires were received. Overall 68% of staff agreed, or strongly agreed that they had adequate knowledge and attitudes to meet the support needs of LGBTIQA+ people. There were 75% who felt confident working with LGBTIQA+ people. A strong 91% reported the training to be useful to their clinical practice. Overall, 45% neither agreed nor disagreed their service was set up clinically and culturally for LGBTIQA+ persons, with 18% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. Conclusions: Organizational commitment in the form of training and education supports staff to become equipped with knowledge and skills in providing inclusive and responsive practice to LGBTIQA+ people. Training and education are reported to contribute to service improvement and staff capacity to better respond to community needs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)194-210
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Evidence-Based Social Work
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • LGBTIQ
  • Mental health
  • service delivery
  • staff training
  • workforce

Cite this