OT Week 2024: Celebrating 80 Years of Connection

From early check-ups to mental health conversations, Men’s Health Week (June 10–16) is a chance to remind ourselves—and the men in our lives—that it’s okay to take health seriously. It’s okay to talk. It’s okay to ask for support. At helpz, we know that health looks different for everyone. For boys, teens, and men with disability or psychosocial challenges, support isn’t always easy to find—or to ask for. But the right allied health care can make all the difference. Men face unique challenges According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, but are far less likely to seek help 1 Males with a disability experience higher rates of psychological distress than males without disability 2 Many men delay accessing health services, especially when it comes to emotional or mental health concerns The reasons are complex—social expectations, stigma, access issues, or simply not knowing where to turn. That’s where we come in. Breaking the stigma Our team at helpz supports boys and men across all life stages—from children with developmental delay to adult participants with autism, intellectual disability, or psychosocial conditions. We take a person-centred, non-judgemental approach and meet people where they are. Sometimes that looks like: Behaviour support that helps young men manage emotions and build connection Occupational therapy to support daily living skills and social confidence Psychology sessions focused on anxiety, self-worth, or relationship challenges Mental health OT that helps manage routine, motivation, and life transitions We listen first. We build trust. And we never push someone to be anything other than who they are. Talking early, talking often Whether it’s a father, a son, a friend or a participant—checking in can be powerful. Many men don’t know that therapy can be practical, respectful and empowering. At helpz, we believe in early intervention and consistent support. We work with families, carers, support coordinators and men themselves to tailor care that builds real outcomes: resilience, independence, and wellbeing. A safe place to ask for help You don’t need to wait for a crisis to get help. Men’s Health Week is a reminder that seeking support is a sign of strength—not weakness. If you or someone you support could benefit from allied health services designed with your goals in mind, we’re here for you. 

Being seen and supported: Why LGBTQIA+ inclusion matters in allied health Every person deserves to feel safe, understood and valued—especially in the spaces where they seek support. For many LGBTQIA+ Australians, however, healthcare and support settings can be places of misunderstanding, misgendering or exclusion. At helpz, we’re committed to changing that. Why inclusion matters in allied health Healthcare and therapy should be safe spaces—but for LGBTQIA+ individuals, they too often are not. Research shows that LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to avoid or delay seeking medical or allied health care due to fear of discrimination or past negative experiences. When care is not inclusive or affirming, people may feel unsafe, unsupported or unseen. And for LGBTQIA+ individuals living with disability, neurodivergence or mental health challenges, this compounds layers of vulnerability. That’s why affirming care is not optional—it’s essential. Our commitment to inclusive practice At helpz, we recognise that people bring many parts of themselves into the room. Gender identity, sexuality, neurodivergence, cultural background, trauma history, disability—all of these are part of the whole person. Our clinicians are trained in neuroaffirming and trauma-informed approaches and are committed to ongoing learning around inclusive practice. We support LGBTQIA+ participants with a wide range of goals, from exploring independence and communication to managing anxiety or navigating relationships. That might mean a psychologist offering gender-affirming mental health support, or an occupational therapist helping someone feel more confident in everyday activities. Our commitment includes: Respecting pronouns and preferred names Creating visibly inclusive spaces (e.g., rainbow badges, inclusive language) Continual staff education and reflective practice Partnering with LGBTQIA+ organisations where relevant Understanding intersectionality We work with many participants whose identities sit at the intersection of LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and disabled experiences. For example, an autistic non-binary young person may experience sensory overwhelm, social anxiety, and fear of discrimination all at once. Our job is to listen deeply, collaborate respectfully, and co-design supports that empower—not pathologise. By acknowledging the unique experiences of each person, we create space for genuine connection and progress. What inclusive care can look like Inclusive allied health is more than a set of policies. It’s a practice of compassion and curiosity, of checking our assumptions and leading with respect. For example, our practitioners might: Ask and confirm someone’s pronouns, then use them correctly Understand how dysphoria might affect sensory needs or social situations Help a young person rehearse coming out conversations in a supportive space Work with families to create affirming environments at home Respect and support someone’s journey—wherever they are on it Looking ahead: support that celebrates every person This Pride Month, and every month, we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ people we support—and the courage it takes to show up as yourself in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. We believe in building systems of support that truly reflect the diversity of the people they serve. That means listening, learning, and growing—together.