Interviews and Yarning (Phase 1)

Interviews & Yarning Groups (Phase 1)

We are no longer recruiting for Phase 1 of the project. Please see our Phase 1 Results.

Who can take part in the study?

If you answer 'yes' to all of these questions, then you can take part in the study:

Do you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?
Do you identify as LGBTQA+? (you don’t have to be ‘out’)
Are you aged between 14 – 25 years old?
Are you based in Perth?*

*If you live remotely, you may still be able to take part. Contact us and we’ll have a chat about the possibilities. Participation and reimbursement will be considered on a case by case basis.

Read our Participant Study Information Letter or have a look at some of the important information below...

Phase 1

Yarn-up groups and interviews in various sites around Australia

Talking with you about what it is like being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young person where you live, about your mental health and wellbeing, and what you think services need to know.

Phase 2

National online survey of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people

Based on young people's responses during Phase 1. A nation-wide survey finding out about the mental health, experiences, and strengths of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people.

Phase 2 is due to begin in mid- 2021.

Phase 3

Co-designing interventions to improve the social emotional wellbeing and mental health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people will work with relevant services to design interventions that promote mental health and wellbeing, which can be implemented at the community/sectoral level.

Phase 3 is due to begin in 2021.

Privacy and consent

We understand that not everyone wants their story shared with the world, and some of the things you discuss may be sensitive, so we have a few measures in places to respect our participants' privacy.

What you say is private

We use fake names and never disclose your personal information

None of your personal details will be shared with anyone outside of the research team.

Your name will never be attached to what you say in the yarn-up/interview. You will be referred to by a pseudonym in all reports, notes, etc. and can choose to use a pseudonym during the yarn-up/interview itself.

More of your information will be changed in any publications if you or our research team feel it is necessary to further de-identify what you say.

The yarn-up/interview will be recorded

The recordings are private. They may be shared for transcription, but the transcriber will not share what you say.

The yarn-up/interview will be recorded on an audio device.

If we send the recordings to someone to transcribe, they will sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure that they don't share what has been said.

If you choose to use a pseudonym during the yarn-up/interview, this is the name that will appear in all transcripts.

We will have some time before the recording starts, so any questions you'd like to ask off-record can happen then.

You will need to sign a consent form

You'll need to sign a consent form in order to participate. If you're under 18, you don't need a parent/guardian's permission.

You will be asked to sign a consent form before you start the interview/yarn-up. You need to complete these with your real name and information. These will be kept securely and not shared with anyone outside of the research team.

If you're under 18, you don't need a parent/guardian to sign your consent form. However you will need to provide a parent/guardian's contact details. We will not contact them unless we believe there is a real chance of you causing harm to yourself or someone else, or being harmed by someone else.

You can leave at any time

You can withdraw from the study at any time with no consequences.

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, including after the yarn-up/interview is over, with no negative consequences.

You do not have to give a reason for wanting to withdraw. Just get in contact with one of our research team.

You may also leave the interview/yarn-up at any time.

We will share the final report on this research with support services, so they can better help other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people. You can have a copy of the report and share it with whoever you like. Publications from this study will also be published in academic journals and presented at research conferences.

Check our publications page to see what work has been released so far.

You will be reimbursed $30 per hour or part thereof for participating in a yarn-up/interview.

Looking after participants

Talking about your wellbeing can sometimes bring up negative feelings. For example, when talking about wellbeing someone might feel down, feel like they want to end their life, or remember bad experiences they've had in the past. You DO NOT have to talk about anything that makes you feel this way, but please be aware that other people might.

To help you stay strong, we'll ask you to complete a wellness plan before you start the yarn-up/interview. This will help you to think of some things you do that help when you're feeling down and some people you can go to for help. If at any time during or after the yarn-up you're feeling like you want some support, let one of our research team members know and we can help you to access support that's right for you. You'll also be given a list of websites and contact numbers for services that work with young people.

If you have any questions, please contact our research assistant, Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, by email at Rainbow.Knowledge@telethonkids.org.au or by calling (08) 6319 1062.