The WA AIDS Council adopts a peer education model in our health promotion, outreach and education. All our programs are run by Gay/MSM guys and one to one peer support is also available. Using a peer-based model, our officers are trained and educated in the sexual health issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, STIs, sexuality, safer sex, and drug use, and thereby become relative experts in these subjects compared to their peers.

By taking action in various activities such as workshops and forum discussions as well as active and passive outreach (online and at MSM venues), they attempt to generate change in the knowledge, attitudes, norms, beliefs, and behaviour of their peers

Peer support is based on the fact that people, especially marginalised groups, often seek out their peers when they are experiencing some frustration, worry or concern. Peer helpers are trained and supervised to provide any or all of the following:

• listening and understanding;
• friendship and support;
• decision making assistance;
• role modelling
• problem-solving assistance; and
• referral to professionals

Peer Support run by the Gay/MSM Program include CyberReach, Sauna Clinics, Mensline, Workshops, Gay Indigenous Outreach and Beats Outreach.

Mensline

Mensline has been operational since 1993, during which time countless number of men have accessed “Mensline” seeking information & guidance in addressing to any sexual or social issues/concerns they might be facing. Mensline has, for most of the guys that have called, been the lifeline that has taken them from feeling isolated and alone, to one of empowerment.

Mensline aims to facilitate the reduction of HIV and STIs within men who have sex with men (msm), gay men and men questioning their sexual orientation and promote physical, mental and social wellbeing. It is a peer information and referral service which addresses sexual or social issues and concerns of our clientele . The main difference between Mensline and other telephone lines is that Mensline is strictly an information and referral line - not a counselling line.

Mensline operates three days a week (Friday, Saturday and Monday) from 10am to 10pm. At other times all incoming enquiries go to the automated information system. If you have access to the internet, useful information can also be accessed via www.ProjectX.net.au or the WAAC web site www.waaids.com.

CyberReach

CyberReach uses trained male volunteers from the gay, bisexual and queer community in Western Australia to outreach fellow community members in online environments. This is done in a similar way to outreach programs conducted at social, community and sexual venues such as nightclubs, pubs, and saunas. The outreach volunteers provide information, referral and support around sexuality, safe sex and general health.

CyberReach is available for private chats in the Perth chat rooms on manhunt.net, gay.com and gaydar. Outreachers can also be chatted to by adding chat@cyberreach.com.au to your MSN. CyberReach is online several times a week but these times may vary throughout the year so come back regularly to check the current times. Either way if you see us online always feel free to chat to us. We will at no time view your profile or initiate contact with you, and the chat will remain confidential. For more info contact Steve Fragomeni on 9482 0000, Contact Us or go to www.projectx.net.au

Gay Indigenous Peer Support

The idea of this project is to provide targeted sexual health education and facilitate the development (through workshops, yarning sessions, etc.) of Indigenous MSM and Gay Men within the Indigenous and the GBLT community.  The project aims to enable them to make informed choices around sexual practices, developing social networks and striving towards self empowerment. For more information contact Clyde on 9482 0000 or Contact Us.