Mental Health Locals

Mental Health Locals

Author: JOY 94.9 - LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex Podcasts for all our Rainbow Communities March 12, 2026 Duration: 31:41
Well, Well, Well
HealthHealth & FitnessFitnessMentalSexuality

Many queer people living in suburban and regional Victoria struggle to access mental health care despite growing community needs.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals aim to fill this gap for people aged 26 and up in places like Melton and Dandenong.

But what are some of the considerations when serving diverse populations, managing logistical challenges, and building visibility in peri-urban areas?

Our guest is Rory, an LGBTQIA+ Specialist Mental Health Manager at Thorne Harbour Health.

They speak with Jack and Joel about why social connection matters for mental health outcomes and how peer-led models differ from traditional therapy.

You’ll also hear about inclusive family practices and what social prescribing actually looks like in practice.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au


Every week on Well, Well, Well, hosts Michael, Cal, Rachel, and Jacinta pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both essential and familiar. This isn't just another health show; it's a dedicated space focusing on the specific realities of LGBTIQA+ life, from mental wellbeing and sexual health to everyday fitness and community care. The discussions are grounded, tackling topics like HIV with nuance and exploring what holistic health truly means across our rainbow communities. You'll hear the latest information, but more importantly, you'll find relatable perspectives and honest talk that resonates. Produced as a service by JOY 94.9 in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, the Well, Well, Well podcast extends that community spirit beyond the radio broadcast. It’s where practical advice meets personal understanding, creating a resource that feels like it’s genuinely for us, by us. Tune in for episodes that blend expertise with empathy, always aiming to support and strengthen the wellbeing of everyone under the rainbow.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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Podcast Episodes
Inquiry into LGBTIQA+ Hate Crimes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:26
Over 35 arrests have been made by Victoria Police regarding LGBTIQA+ Hate Crimes and coordinated online attacks against gay and bi+ guys. These incidents, often facilitated by dating apps, have prompted a formal parliame…
You Make Me Feel Mighty Real: Art, Advocacy, and HIV with Emil Canita [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
Emil Canita, an artist and advocate from Living Positive Victoria, joins Jack and Jake to discuss the intersection of creativity and health. Many queer people living with HIV carry the weight of historical trauma, yet Au…
Barriers to Trans and Gender Diverse Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
Equinox Clinic’s practice manager Ellis Nardella joins us in light of the clinic passes ten years of delivering Trans healthcare in Melbourne. They speak with Jack and Joel about the informed consent model that improved…
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Duration: 55:58
As part of this live panel discussion recorded Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), we discuss how to tangibly support trans and gender diverse communities without falling into tokenism. Our panel consists of: Hank Paul (they…
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Duration: 14:21
Vivek from the Queer South Asians of Melbourne (aka QSAM) joins Jack and Chiron to explore the unique challenges and joys of navigating queer identity within South Asian communities. We discuss isolation, cultural expect…
Celebrating Latin American Rainbow Communities with LAHRC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
Jorge from LAHRC to explore how the Latin American and Hispanic Rainbow Community addresses isolation among queer migrants in Australia. Jack and Chiron speak with them about the group’s founding in 2016, their flagship…
Safe Spaces for Queer Catholics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:20
Cam from Acceptance Melbourne joins us to discuss creating inclusive spaces for queer catholics. They speak with Jack and Chiron about the group’s history and the increasing number of young people seeking faith communiti…
Anal Cancer and HRA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:50
Anal cancer rates are rising worldwide, but particularly among gay and bisexual men and people living with HIV, where incidence is significantly higher. We’re joined by Dr. Matthew Marino, a general and colorectal surgeo…
Chillout and Three Decades of Country Pride [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
Meredith from Chillout joins us to discuss Victoria’s longest‑running regional queer festival and teases out its evolution over three decades. This modest grassroots initiative has grown into a cornerstone event for our…

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