NORTH SYDNEY WELLBEING Neutral Bay start up a game changer for LGBTQI+ health

By James Mullan

David Cairncross grew up on the Northern Beaches and went to high school in North Sydney.

Coming out as gay at the age of 23 years old was an extremely difficult experience for him: “Upon coming out my parents kicked me out of home. I would only be allowed back in if I undertook conversion therapy. Through that process it was really challenging for me as I had to come to terms with who I was but also wanted to find a place in society that was unique to me so I had to re-evolve.”

Throughout this period in time David found it near impossible to find psychologists or GPs who could provide the holistic care he needed. “It took me about five years and two cities to find a psychologist and GP that could provide me that context based therapeutic setting that I needed to feel unique in my own journey.” His psychologist was part of the LGBTQI+ community which David says helped him truly find his place in the world.

It also helped him to realise there was a huge need for dedicated ‘rainbow’ services, especially with 60% of the LGBTQI+ community suffering with depression from the ages of 18 and above, compared to 10% amongst the rest of the population.

Wanting to fill the need for these services, David single-handedly created Unboxed Pride; an online psychology support service created by and tailored to LGBTQI+ people. The platform launched on the 18th January of this year which luckily coincided with

Midsumma Festival, Melbourne’s equivalent of Sydney’s Mardi Gras, as well as World Pride 2023. This gave the platform a huge boost, connecting people in need of support with qualified therapists and psychologists who offer evidence-based tailored therapeutic techniques and practical solutions for clients.

One of the key points of difference between Unboxed and similar services such as Better Health and Pride Counselling is the localised expertise on offer: “Some of the dangers that come from internationally based therapists is you could have completely out of context councillors.” David used the example of a transgender person in Australia receiving support from a therapist in a conservative US state.

“We made sure with our team, every psychologist, therapist or counsellor was affirming and had lived experience of being LGBTQ or are fierce allies.” This was to ensure Unboxed Pride is a safe, non judgmental and understanding space.

“Coming through a journey of not being able to find the right healthcare options or therapist in the field, it was all about having individuals who have been looking for something like this for so long and they’ve finally found it,” he said.

The service begins by matching clients with therapists based on personality, experience and a range of preferences. Consultations are set up in under 24 hours as part of offering a simpler, easier to access service than face to face.

As it stands, David has funded the whole project out of his pocket but hopes to secure private capital or government funding to make the business more financially sustainable. Clients with a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan can be eligible for a Medicare rebate for 10 psychology sessions per year. Looking forward, regional and remote expansion is also a key priority for Unboxed Pride.

The Sun asked David about the LGBTQI+ community specifically on the North Shore. “When we had World Pride you would cross the Bridge and see an array of colours, celebrations, campaigns and promotions, but you come back to the North Shore and it's almost dormant. There is bit and pieces but it goes to show the way people think” he observed, adding in refer-

Around The Grounds

ence to the same sex marriage plebisite of 2017. 28% of respondents in the North Sydney federal electorate voted no. “There was still a large proportion of those who voted No, so there is still work to be done,” David said.

From a medical perspective the North Shore has relatively few LGBTQI+ friendly GPs.

According to ACON’s Gay Friendly GPs directory there is only one clinic in both Mosman and Cremorne with two each in North Sydney and St Leonards for a total six across the region.

Unboxed Pride is helping to offer more support for LGBTQI+ people and it all started in Neutral Bay, which is not only a great local tech start up story but welcome news for a community in need of support.