Hey there,

I am a lesbian social work student at UON and am currently doing research in the area of LGBTI suicide. I was absolutely appalled to find that LGBTI persons are between 2 and 14 times more likely to attempt suicide then their heterosexual counterparts. What I found even worse was the lack of social policy to address this issue. Even Australia's National Suicide Prevention Strategy largely ignores sexual minoroites!!
Am hoping to initiate some discussion around this important topic..feel free to respond with any info, insight or personal experience in this area or around the lack of LGBTI services addressing this issue.

Thanks :-)

My opinion, I'm certainly not a professional, but nonetheless....

In addition the range of emotional issues that young people deal with on a regular basis, the LGBT youth (and indeed many mature age LGBT members) may also experience the anxiety and depression caused by a belief that their sexual orientation, gender or other aspect of themselves is not appropriate or will not be accepted by the community or by those they love and care about.

This lack of acceptance by others, especially in cases involving family, can have detrimental effects on their well being on a psychological level. Rejection can be difficult to deal with at the best of times for anyone of any age, but for a member of the LGBT community, who sometimes experience identity issues and self-acceptance, to be ‘rejected’ by friends, families, peers and even to some degree strangers, can really take its toll on their psychological state.

As society becomes more and more educated and accepting of the LGBT community, it is becoming easier for individuals to reach out to professions about LGBT related concerns. I’m not entirely sure what kind of ‘policies’ you are suggesting could be implemented to help the LGBT community, as I feel most psychological professionals should know how to deal with the issues that face these individuals as in reality, the way to help them with their issues will be similar to other issues facing other individuals who better suit the ‘social norm’.

Perhaps a wider reading to gain a better understanding of some of the challenges the LGBT community faces may better equip professionals such as counselors, psychologists and other health related personnel to deal with people and their concerns; beyond this, there is really little that can be done besides an attempt at continuing the process of educating people on these minorities in order to foster a more supportive, accepting environment. Forming LGBT only support services I feel may be counterproductive, for the simple fact that it may suggest another division between the LGBT community and the rest of society. This can have the adverse effect than intended and would be something I’d personally caution against.

Thank you very much for your response! :-)
You are definitely correct in a lot of your points.
LGBTI persons have increased incidence of many factors contributing to the increased suicide rates, including family rejection; discrimination and homophobia; rejection when 'coming out'; and drug and alcohol misuse to name a few.
I am currently preparing a submission to the government as part of my social policy assessment in which I propose that the government implement a National Strategic Framework for LGBTI Suicide Prevention 'Gay Doesn't Make It Okay'. This would involve continuing research on LGBTI suicide and associated risk factors; the inclusion of sexual orientation on mortality data; Training of health sector students and practitioners to be culturally competent in working with LGBTI persons; and Collaboration between Government and LGBTI organisations.
Unfortunately without such a policy framework LGBTI suicide would likely not ever receive sufficient funding to drive change in this area.

As a social work student that doesn’t have a lot to do with the LGBTI community, I was pretty shocked when jade told me about these statistics. I felt like it should have been something that had more attention considering how serious suicide is. Public awareness for any health concern is always the first step to addressing a problem because we live in a rather horrible democracy. People are dying and mainstream Australia doesn’t know. Good one you jade, getting the word out about this issue is a worthy cause that needs to take top priority.

Hi Jade,

It was really shocking to read your stats on LGBTI suicide and so sad as well. Suicide is such a huge issue for anyone regardless of their sexuality. I think the government and other organisations really need to work together on this issue as it should not contiune to be ignored. I think it's also so terribly sad that there is still so much negative stigma and negative sterotyping in regards to LGBTI communities in today's society, at what point will there be acceptance, assistance and support, not just sweeping them and their real troubles under the rug? I love your campaign "gay doesn't make it okay", because it really doesn't make it okay and I really hope it creates the changes that need to be done to create awareness and hopefully get those stats way down wishing you every bit of luck

Thanks to both of you for the support. It is very encouraging that you are equally appalled by the figures! As stated there needs to be a time when acceptance and support take the place of stigma and discrimination that is unfortunately so much a part of many LGBTI peoples lives. I agree with you Mikey that people are dying and Australia largely don't realise the enormity of these deaths in the LGBTI community..either that or they just don't care.
It's time that people started to see LGBTI suicide as a human rights issue..not an equality issue. After all safety is a human right. Maybe then the government and policy makers will take notice?
The time has come for action.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jade M

Hey there,

I am a lesbian social work student at UON and am currently doing research in the area of LGBTI suicide. I was absolutely appalled to find that LGBTI persons are between 2 and 14 times more likely to attempt suicide then their heterosexual counterparts. What I found even worse was the lack of social policy to address this issue. Even Australia's National Suicide Prevention Strategy largely ignores sexual minoroites!!
Am hoping to initiate some discussion around this important topic..feel free to respond with any info, insight or personal experience in this area or around the lack of LGBTI services addressing this issue.

Thanks :-)

No matter how far our community thinks it has come since the "gay liberation" days of the 70s, it takes something like this topic to show us how far "behind the 8' basll, we still are & how we still get treated like 2nd class citizens. It doesnt surprise me that the National Suicide Prevention Strategy largely ignores the LGBTI community. So do a lot of other goverment strategies. Appalling & shameful - YES, surprising - no!!!

Thanks for your reply! I totally agree with you that we are still behind the 8 ball..and not by a little! I for one am sick of LGBTI issues being pushed to the side..especially when it's blatantly obvious that lives are at stake. What is most appalling is that studies worldwide have concluded that LGBTI are at increased risk of suicide and associated behaviours, yet our governments are doing their best to discredit the research methods rather than actually do something to help. If only they would put their effort into actually making a difference..lets just say i definitely won't be holding my breath!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jade M

Thanks for your reply! I totally agree with you that we are still behind the 8 ball..and not by a little! I for one am sick of LGBTI issues being pushed to the side..especially when it's blatantly obvious that lives are at stake. What is most appalling is that studies worldwide have concluded that LGBTI are at increased risk of suicide and associated behaviours, yet our governments are doing their best to discredit the research methods rather than actually do something to help. If only they would put their effort into actually making a difference..lets just say i definitely won't be holding my breath!

Hear! Hear!

Sadly, one group which needs to do more to try and reduce suicides within the GBLT community, is........the GBLT community.

The amount of discrimination, bullying, disrespect and predjudice I have seen personally within our community is nothing short of mind blowing.

For a person who might be emotionally vulnerable, their surely can't be anything worse than not only feeling outcast by the general community, but also the GBLT community as well.

I have considered suicide on a number of occasions, too weak to follow through unfortunately

Hi
I even thought about kill myself last Christmas as I was overly stressed at that time, plus my boyfriend who promised me to be with me in Sydney for Christmas called off the plan due to the flight ticket issue. He is still working overseas now with no clear clue of a permanent returning date I have felt very lonely and helpless
But I did not do it anyway, as I believe everyone has bad time, if winter comes, can spring far behind?
I am still waiting for my spring

Hi Jade, I also am a social work, have been for around 20 years. I suggest contacting two organisations that can assist with gaining more understand on the issues of suicide among young LGBTI people. Contact twenty10 and/or headspace, might even be good places to do one of your student placements.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthew2468

I am still waiting for my spring

Well, my winter has been seven years long. I dont see a spring coming. Frozen and barren as far as the eye can see.