Optimising health - systematic change

Transcript

Saeran: I think we need Wear It Purple Day just to let young people know that the people are there for them, even at a hospital where it's kind of scary sometimes, but you know, people are there and there's nothing to worry about.

Stasia: To show our young LGBTIQ people that we love them and support them. Because it can be pretty isolating out in the community sometimes and it's really important that they know that they've got people to go to.

Claire Rabaa: It's a day to celebrate, it's a day, to have fun, it's a day to really kind of highlight the greatness of the young people, to really celebrate who they are and who they stand for and it's a day of celebration.

How does celebrating diversity make a difference to mental health?

Saeran: A lot of, LGBT + people are not, don't have the best mental health and need, need something to, you know, get them back up again. And I think that's what Wear It Purple Day does. It really, like, lifts everyone's spirit and, you know, just, is nice. Wear It Purple Day and Pride things, they, they make me feel really good, because community and it's nice to see a lot of people and not get cooped up in the house, and be with other young people like me.

Claire Barbagallo: I think we need Wear It Purple Day to show our young people that we accept them for who they are, to raise awareness that diversity is amazing and everyone has, unique qualities in us. Special in their own way. I also think that we do need to raise awareness that the LGBTIQ community have a higher risk of suicide and self-harm. And that's something that we should take notice of.

Judi Krause: I think Wear It Purple Day is so incredibly important. We have so many young people that are bullied with homophobic and transphobic bullying, and I think diversity is something that we really need to embrace and we need to get it out there and on the, on the calendar, and so everyone can be aware.

Optimising health outcomes through systemic change

Alannah Brown: The strengths and difficulties of our LGBTQ plus population, the more that they can be people to support our young people and the health and well being of young people, it isn't something that, it's not their responsibility to manage on their own. It takes it takes a village.

Dr Stephen Stathis: Well what I understand is that young people who are marginalised, including those who are gender diverse have really high rates of mental health problems. So just for them to see that other people are wearing purple and are connected with them, it makes them realise that they're not alone and that other people are walking the journey with them.

Lisa: It makes me feel like I and my child is accepted in a community and there are people out there that are understanding.

Stasia: Events like Wear It Purple Day make me feel hopeful and I'm hopeful for a better world for my young transgender son.