Transfolk of WA have launched two new initiatives to support transgender people in Perth.

Firstly Social Space, is a new casual hangout for transgender people. The monthly event will be held in Leederville and the first event will be on Sunday 20th May.

The event is open to transgender and gender diverse people and is an opportunity to catch up with different support groups. The social space is for over 18+ only, and is in a separate to the space to where the different support services will be providing info.

The times for trans juniors and parents is 9:30am, trans women are at 12:30pm, non-binary people at 2pm and trans men at 3:30pm. The social space will operate from 12:30pm – 4:30pm.

The second new initiative is a program called D.I.S.C.H.A.R.G.E.D. – Deserving of Inclusion, Support, Community, Hope, Authenticity, Respect, Growth, Empathy and Determination.

The alternatives to suicide program will be held between 3:00pm and 4:30pm on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, upstairs at 196 Oxford Street, Leederville.

This peer-led group will be a space for gender diverse individuals, of all ages, with personal experience of suicidal thoughts or actions, to come together and talk about feeling suicidal without being judged or put through a crisis management system.

The organisers believe that suicidality occurs due to circumstances in people ’s lives and so members will be encouraged to mindfully listen to each other’s stories rather than trying to ‘fix’ or diagnose people.

The group is a ‘non-clinical space’ meaning that there are no prerequisites such as specific diagnoses or current contact with mental health professionals. It is important to note that people don’t need to be experiencing a current crisis to attend, if they have previously experienced suicidal thoughts or actions, then they are eligible.

Participants are encouraged to register their attendance with admin@transfolkofwa.org but the group is anonymous, and registration is not compulsory.

Find out all the details at the Transfolk website.

Do you need some support?

If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, support and counselling are available from:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyondblue: and www.beyondblue.org.au

QLife: and www.qlife.org.au
QLife are a counselling and referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.