In line with Ballarat High School’s Mental Health Plan, and our commitment to ensuring a positive, supportive, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students, we are pleased to inform you of our intention to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. IDAHOBIT Day is celebrated annually on 17th May, and is a global day of activation and allyship, when the LGBTQI+ Community and allies come together to raise awareness regarding LGBTQI+ discrimination and to advocate for change.

Across the week our school will be offering a range of fun and engaging activities to promote awareness, show support and focus on how to be an ally to our LGBTQI+ community.

On Monday 17th of May, we will host a Rainbow and Ally Flag raising ceremony to mark IDAHOBIT Day, with special guest Cr Daniel Moloney – Mayor, City of Ballarat. During our Learning Mentor sessions on Wednesday 19th of May, students and staff will hear about the lived experience of a young LGBTQI+ person with the aim of promoting the importance of inclusion, empathy, and safety for all. We will also have a range of fun activities across the week which include a rainbow donut drive, BBQ, rainbow ribbons decorating our front gates and a poster competition. All members of the Ballarat High School community will also have the opportunity to make an ‘Ally Pledge’ which will form part of an art display in the foyer of the Administration Building. Parents and carers are most welcome to visit the school, view the display and make a contribution to the ally pledge wall.

It is important to recognise that our LGBTQI+ community are particularly vulnerable with regards to their mental health and wellbeing. The evidence shows that people who identify as LGBTQI+ are more likely to experience discrimination, stigma, violence, and bullying. These occurrences contribute to issues with mental health, physical health, and higher rates of suicide. For some the detrimental impact is lifelong and devastating.

All members of our school community will spend the week (and beyond) reflecting on being inclusive and empathetic, and focusing on ensuring that our school is physically and psychologically safe for our LGBTQI+ community.

If you or your child are experiencing any issues or concerns, there are a range of services and supports available which include:

ZAQUE Grampians: a group that aims to provide a safe and supportive space for LGBTQI+ young people aged 12-25. https://www.rainbownetwork.com.au/directory/zaque

Queerspace: Programs and Support for LGBTQI+ Youth and their parents/carers https://www.queerspace.org.au/our-programs/

Beyond Blue: Families Like Mine is a multimedia guide that offers practical advice to families of young gender diverse people, same-sex attracted and bisexual people, and those who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity.

https://resources.beyondblue.org.au/api/prism/document?token=BL/1138

QLIFE: Provides Australia-wide peer support and referral. Anonymous, free and services are for LGBTQI+ individuals, their friends and families. Phone and Web chat from 3pm- Midnight every day: https://qlife.org.au/about-us

Minus18 provides mental health and peer mentoring support to same sex attracted and gender diverse young people from all over Australia. https://www.minus18.org.au/

Switchboard: Anonymous, free telephone counselling, information, and referrals for LGBTQI+ individuals https://www.switchboard.org.au/

The Zoe Belle Gender Centre (ZBGC): An online service supporting the health and wellbeing of Victoria’s sexuality and gender diverse community. The ZBGC also provides an online Q & A service for people seeking answers to their questions about sexuality and gender diversity. https://zbgc.org.au/

Shannon Thompson

Mental Health Practitioner

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