Meridian offers a wide range of community-focused wellbeing services. We use our lived experience to lead the way in providing safe, inclusive and affirming support for all experiences and identities. Our wellbeing team are qualified and registered mental health professionals, including Counsellors, Psychologists and Social Workers. Our services focus on peer-informed, person-centred, trauma-informed and affirming approaches to care and support.

	Inclusive and safe for all communities, specialising in LGBTIQA+ people and their allies and people living with HIV.
	Easy, prompt and confidential access to community-focused help and support.
	Experienced Multi-Disciplinary Team including Psychologists, Social Workers and Counsellors with a diversity of lived, peer and community support experience.

Current lockdown status of Wellbeing Services

Meridian is accredited to the National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS)

We are an appointment-based service, we are not a crisis service.

Please Note: Meridian Wellbeing Services are currently experiencing unprecedented demands on our psychological, social work and counselling services. The current waitlist is being managed, however we will be temporarily closed for any new bookings. You are welcome to complete an online enquiry form, however your enquiry will be actioned when our services are available for bookings. We anticipate opening for booking again in mid-September. During this time EAP services will continue to operate.

We sincerely thank you for your patience during this time of high demand.

Online Enquiry Form

Online Referral Form

**Inclusive Pathways**
	Inclusive Pathways is a wellbeing service providing free psychological and social work support for LGBTIQ+ (or questioning) folk who are 16+ years and live/work or study in the ACT. This program requires a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, or a willingness to be supported to get one. This program is funded by the Capital Health Network (CHN). More Information

**Westlund Counselling**
	Westlund Counselling is the ACT’s leading peer-led counselling service for people living with HIV, people impacted by HIV, LGBTIQA+ people, their families-of-choice, carers and their allies. We welcome members of the community over the age of 15, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, religious belief or economic circumstances. More Information

**Employee Assistance Program**
	Our wellbeing team provides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling support to community sector employees, LGBTIQA+ employees, their families and allies. More Information

Meridian Wellbeing Services is not a crisis service.
We are an appointment-based service and we only respond to phone calls and emails during normal business hours - 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday - Friday.

If you, or someone you know is in crisis please call the numbers below:
In an emergency always contact 000.
Access Mental Health open 24/7 | (02) 6205 1065 or 1800 184 527
QLife: Open 3pm - Midnight | 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au
Lifeline: Open 24/7 | 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Domestic Violence Crisis Service: Open 24/7 | (02) 6280 0900 | dvcs.org.au

For those under the age of 25, there are also the following services available:
Kids Helpline: Open 24/7 | 1800 551 800 | kidshelpline.com.au
Eheadspace: 1800 650 890 | headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

Mental & Emotional Health & Wellbeing Resources

Psychological Therapies Service Model

Meridian was invited by the Capital Health Network (CHN) to co-design a service model for delivering mental health services to LGBTIQA+ communities in the ACT under the Psychological Therapies Targeting Priority Populations contract.

Meridian facilitated a co-design process with LGBTIQA+ people to design a service model that would respond to their mental health needs and address the barriers to mental health services that they experience.

July 23, 2021 9:35 AM

Meridian - Carers' Rights and Responsibilities

A guide for carers' rights, responsibilities and support.

July 01, 2021 3:07 PM

LGBTIQ Competent Psychologists Psychotherapists and Counsellors

We understand the concerns LGBTIQ+ people bring to counselling are often universal to all people and may not necessarily be related to their personal sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to providing a safe, nonjudgmental and inclusive therapeutic environment. Many of our staff are peers and all counsellors are qualified, competent, trained and experienced working in therapeutic settings with LGBTIQ+ communities.

November 30, 2020 3:10 PM

Westlund Exchange Information Sheet

Westlund Exchange is a peer-led, place-based client services hub that provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTIQ+ people and their families and allies to access therapeutic, clinical and peer services. Bringing together a mix of clinical services to form a single, integrated service hub, Westlund Exchange responds to the distinct, intersectional and dynamic psychosocial needs of our LGBTIQ+ communities.

August 23, 2020 1:06 PM