The mental health challenges facing LGBTQIA+ individuals in Australia are deeply concerning, with higher rates of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and suicide attempts prevalent within this community. Insights from the Private Lives 3 survey (PL3) conducted in 2019 by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University provide crucial data on these issues. However, it’s important to recognise that, while informative, the survey’s findings are based on a non-probability convenience sample and may not fully represent the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ population.
Key Findings
Disturbing Prevalence of Suicidal Thoughts: A staggering 75% of PL3 participants reported experiencing suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives. Notably, trans men and non-binary individuals faced the highest rates, emphasizing the critical need for tailored support within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Disproportionate Suicide Attempt Rates: Trans men reported the highest lifetime suicide attempt rates at 53%, with bisexual, pansexual, and queer individuals also experiencing elevated risks compared to their gay and lesbian counterparts.
Age Disparities: Younger LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those aged 18-24, exhibited higher rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts, underscoring the vulnerability of this demographic.
Impact of Disability: Participants with disabilities or long-term health conditions were more susceptible to suicidal thoughts and attempts, highlighting the intersectional nature of mental health challenges within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Data Gaps and Monitoring: Despite the alarming prevalence of mental health issues, there remains a lack of comprehensive national data on suicide and self-harm rates among LGBTQIA+ individuals. The inclusion of LGBTQIA+ status in national databases is essential for addressing these data gaps and informing targeted interventions.
The Bottom Line – A Call to Action
The PL3 survey underscores the urgent need for holistic support services and interventions to address the mental health crisis facing LGBTQIA+ Australians. Prioritising mental wellbeing and ensuring access to specialised resources is paramount, alongside the implementation of inclusive policies and community-driven initiatives to combat stigma and discrimination.
If you or someone you know requires support, immediate assistance is available through resources like Qlife and online LGBTQIA+ support services. It’s important to prioritise mental health, foster inclusivity, and strive towards creating a society that embraces and supports individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Teresa Coffey
Sources
Australian Institute of Family Studies. LGBTIQA+ glossary of common terms.
Cth of Australia. The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement (2022).
Calder, R. V., Dunbar, J. A., & de Courten, M. P. (2022). The Being Equally Well national policy roadmap: providing better physical health care and supporting longer lives for people living with serious mental illness. The Medical Journal of Australia, 217(Suppl 7), S3.
Hill, A., Bourne, A., McNair, R., Carman, M., & Lyons, A. (2020). Private Lives 3: The health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people in Australia.
Liu, R. T., Sheehan, A. E., Walsh, R. F., Sanzari, C. M., Cheek, S. M., & Hernandez, E. M. (2019). Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical psychology review, 74, 101783.
Marchi, M., Arcolin, E., Fiore, G., Travascio, A., Uberti, D., Amaddeo, F., … & Italian Working Group on LGBTIQ Mental Health. (2022). Self-harm and suicidality among LGBTIQ people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International review of psychiatry, 34(3-4), 240-256.
Stinchcombe, A., Kortes-Miller, K., & Wilson, K. (2021). “We Are Resilient, We Made It to This Point”: A Study of the Lived Experiences of Older LGBTQ2S+ Canadians. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(11), 1533-1541.
Zwickl, S., Wong, A. F. Q., Dowers, E., Leemaqz, S. Y. L., Bretherton, I., Cook, T., … & Cheung, A. S. (2021). Factors associated with suicide attempts among Australian transgender adults. BMC psychiatry, 21(1), 1-9.
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