Suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people: Best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers

Full Title: Suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people: Best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers.

Investigators: Dr Penelope Strauss, Dr Nicole Hill, Larissa Marion, Dylan Gilbey, Zoe Waters, Dr Julie Moore, Marco Costanza, Michelle Lamblin, Associate Professor Jo Robinson, Professor Ashleigh Lin and Associate Professor Yael Perry

While many LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or gender diverse, queer/questioning, asexual and other diverse sexualities and genders) young people experience happy and healthy lives, evidence has shown that LGBTQA+ young people experience elevated rates of mental health difficulties, suicidal thoughts and behaviour relative to their heterosexual and cisgender peers.

Indeed, more than a quarter of LGBTQA+ young people have attempted suicide in their lifetime, almost five times the rate reported in the general population.  These experiences are compounded by poor access to and engagement with services, which are often poorly equipped to cater to the specific needs of LGBTQA+ youth. While specialised LGBTQA+ and peer-led services offer tailored support for this community, there is insufficient supply to meet the demand, and all LGBTQA+ young people should have the opportunity to receive safe and inclusive care from mainstream providers.

We developed a set of guidelines outlining best practice for suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people, targeting both clinical and community service providers. Implementation of these guidelines in service settings throughout Australia has the potential to improve the care received by LGBTQA+ young people who are experiencing suicidal ideation and/or engaging in suicidal behaviours. Of note, the first section of the guidelines is solely focussed on general principles to create an affirming and inclusive environment for LGBTQA+ young people, and will be relevant to anyone who engages with young people in a professional context.

We will soon be implementing these guidelines through a training program.

Suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people - Full Report PDF (5MB)

Part I: General principles for creating an affirming and inclusive environment PDF  (1.5MB)

Part II: Assessing suicide risk and working with suicidal LGBTQA+ young people PDF (1MB)

Part III: Considerations for specific LGBTQA+ populations PDF (1MB)

Part IV: Advocating for LGBTQA+ young people PDF (0.5MB)

Development of best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers to prevent suicide in LGBTQA+ young people: A Delphi expert consensus study