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

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

Well, Well, Well
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