Sign up to shape inclusive mental health supports: LGBT Ireland is recruiting LGBTQI+ people, allies, providers and local leaders in South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown and Wicklow to co-design a community-centred pilot that tackles barriers to care and builds long-term, local solutions.

Essential Takeaways

  • Project leader: LGBT Ireland is coordinating the EQUICARES pilot in Ireland, focused on LGBTQI+ mental health in a three-county area.
  • Who’s involved: LGBTQI+ people, community groups, clinicians, public-health experts, researchers and local officials are invited to collaborate.
  • Commitment: Flexible participation options suit busy lives; you can help a little or be deeply engaged.
  • Kick-off date: The first co-creation workshop is scheduled for 18 July 2026.
  • How to join: Sign up via the project form or email LGBT Ireland for details; more on the EQUICARES website.

Why this pilot matters now

Mental health services often miss the mark for LGBTQI+ people because of stigma, gaps in provider knowledge and fragmented local supports, and you can almost feel the frustration people carry. According to project materials, EQUICARES aims to change that by combining lived experience, community know-how and professional expertise to create practical, tested supports. For anyone who’s tired of one-size-fits-all services, this is a rare chance to help shape something local and tangible.

What EQUICARES is and how it works

EQUICARES is a four-year EU-funded research and innovation project running across several countries, and LGBT Ireland is the Irish lead for work on LGBTQI+ mental health. The pilot will run in South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown and Wicklow, bringing together stakeholders to co-create new service offers. Think workshops, community hubs and small-scale pilots that can be evaluated and adapted rather than top-down directives.

Who should get involved , and why your voice counts

Anyone in the three-county area with an interest in inclusive mental health is welcome: LGBTQI+ people, allies, community organisations, clinicians, researchers and local elected officials. The point is to gather varied perspectives , from those who’ve used services to those who deliver them , so solutions are practical and rooted in everyday experience. Even a few hours of your time could steer how services are designed locally.

What participation looks like , flexible and practical

Organisers emphasise flexible involvement to suit different schedules. There will be co-creation workshops, starting with the 18 July 2026 session to set out the pilot’s shape, plus opportunities for smaller focus groups, advisory roles or practical help in community activity hubs. If you’re worried about time, reach out anyway , there are ways to contribute that don’t demand heavy commitments.

How this ties into wider trends in mental health care

Across Europe, projects funded through EU research programmes are testing community-based, equity-focused approaches to mental health, blending digital tools, local networks and lived experience to reduce inequalities. EQUICARES sits within that shift , it’s not just about services but about changing how care is designed and evaluated. For local communities, that could mean more culturally competent supports and clearer referral routes.

Closing line Get involved and help turn everyday experience into better, more inclusive mental health support for LGBTQI+ people where you live.

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