The National LGBT Health Alliance has hailed talks between health experts and educators and national anti-depression group beyondblue a success.

Discussions took place at a roundtable meeting in Melbourne last week, which included representative from the National LGBT Health Alliance, the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee for GLBTI Health and Well-Being and ACON.

“Beyondblue made a really firm commitment to quite an extensive package of initiatives and a substantial budget commitment and most importantly a commitment to work in partnership with LGBT organizations,” said Gabi Rosenstreich, executive director of the National LGBT Health Alliance. “I think these are all really fantastic achievements.”

Rosenstreich said the outcomes were made possible because “LGBT organisations spoke with a strong clear voice at that meeting.” She said a substantial financial commitment was made by beyondblue which includes $2 million over the next 12 to 18 months.

Rosenstriech said the next step will involve a meeting between herself and Leonie Young, CEO of beyondblue, early next year.

Young said the event was a much-needed discussion with a positive result for all involved and confirmed five priority areas for action which included developing coordinated campaigns that deal with GLBT depression and discrimination.

Source: http://sxnews.e-p.net.au