A series of new briefing papers released by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the mental health and suicidality of LGBTQA+ people in Australia.
The briefing papers, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care in partnership with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, are based on data from three major surveys of LGBTQA+ health and wellbeing - Private Lives 3, Writing Themselves In 4, and Pride and Pandemic – brings together findings in a clear, easy-to-use format, broken down on a state-by-state basis.
Lead researcher Jordan Hinton said the briefing papers offer important insights into not just the reality of LGBTQA+ mental health, but also into risk and protective factors, as well as healthcare service engagement and preferences at the State and Territory level.
“While we know that rates of suicidality and poorer mental health are exceedingly high among LGBTQA+ people in Australia, less attention and consideration has been paid to these rates at the State and Territory level,” said Hinton. “Through these comprehensive State- and Territory-level reports, we are now able to pinpoint the specific LGBTQA+ community and healthcare service needs with a more fine-grained approach.”
Researcher Dr Natalie Amos said that where possible, the findings were accompanied by comparisons to the general population on figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as well as with data from other states, revealing that several areas across mental ill-health rates, suicidality rates, and service access rates that differ across states and territories.
“Importantly, the reports highlight not only the risk factors for these mental health outcomes, but also protective factors, such as community connection and supportive environments,” said Amos. “This provides some useful, practical directions where policy and practice can make changes to reduce risks of suicidality, self-harm and psychological distress.”
Terence Humphreys, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Director at LGBTIQ Health Australia, said the papers would provide much-needed local information for on-the-ground organisations, practitioners and communities.
“LGBTIQ+ Health Australia engaged ARCSHS to prepare these snapshots because we know how much this information on LGBTQA+ mental health and suicidality is needed. These state and territory reports will help PHNs, health and wellbeing organisations and communities to better meet the specific needs of LGBTQA+ people in their local area.”
The findings of the briefing papers provide strong support for service accessibility and inclusions for LGBTQA+ populations, as well as providing an in-depth account at the State- and Territory-level on healthcare reform and improvements to policies and practices to ensure the needs of LGBTQA+ community members are met.
