Giving LGBTQI+ youth a voice

Talk Out Loud
Passionate. Empathetic. Inclusive

Volunteer Kate Pastro is a passionate advocate for LGBTQI+ mental wellness and has taken the initiative to develop a program to support young people while they are on the waiting list to see a psychologist.

Kate has played a crucial role at Talk Out Loud for three years, where she has risen to the position of Camp Captain for the quarterly youth empowerment program.

In addition, Kate has developed a popular one-on-one program called REAL Talk, with REAL standing for Relaxed Environment of Active Listening.

“REAL Talk gives youth a sense of belonging and lets them know they are not alone and have someone to talk to,” says Kate.

She is proud that the sessions have grown in popularity and that she has been able to move them online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Seeing youth come in anxious and depressed and hardly able to voice what they are going through and then seeing their transformation after only a few sessions is what keeps me going,” she says.

Kate feels humbled and honoured to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “It means the absolute world to me by showcasing the important work I do for Talk Out Loud, and the impact Talk Out Loud has on so many of our young people.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Talk Out Loud will use its funds to continue to offer free services and other interventions such as their youth empowerment camps for 1,000 young people.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here