About 50 community members celebrated the launch of an online information hub designed for multicultural LGBTQ+ young people in South Western Sydney, at an event at Fairfield Connect on Friday, 3 July.
Pause with Primi was developed by the University of Sydney’s Nursing School, with funding from SWSPHN through the Australian Government’s Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention grants program.
It was co-designed with young people to improve mental health literacy and access to culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming information and support.
The launch attracted community members, researchers, clinicians, SWSPHN staff and representatives from youth, mental health, sexual health, multicultural and LGBTQ+ organisations, to learn about the project and hear from the young people involved.
It included an overview of the project’s journey, followed by a panel discussion and an interactive group activity where attendees worked through a mock scenario using the new platform to identify appropriate support services.
One of the most powerful moments of the event was hearing from young people reflecting on their experience of the co-design process. They spoke about feeling genuinely heard throughout the project, with almost all of their ideas incorporated into the final product.
Gauri, a youth consultant on the project, said: “Primi came from the idea of ‘primary’ or ‘first’. We wanted it to be a first point of contact for support, like a health hub should be”.
Vicky Xu, a clinical psychology registrar and research associate on the project, said young people’s involvement was central to ensuring the resource reflected their needs and experiences.
“A key need expressed by LGBTQ+ young people was to know that they are not alone and that support is available,” she said.
“Pause with Primi is a community-driven resource shaped by young people’s voices, creativity and lived experience. It provides a practical starting point for young people to find accurate mental health information, affirming support and connection with their communities.”
The Pause with Primi hub is now live and can be shared with young people, families, educators and service providers.
Read more about the project and explore the hub at www.pausewithprimi.au
