beyondblue CEO Leonie Young commends Suicide Prevention Australia on its Position Statement relating to suicide and self-harm among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

This important contribution by SPA builds on Feeling Queer and Blue: A Review of the Literature on Depression and Related issues among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and other Homosexually Active People funded by beyondblue.
Click here to read Executive Summary.
Click here to read Full Report.

"We know that rates of depression can be higher in this community than among heterosexuals and we're committed to working in partnership with Suicide Prevention Australia and other agencies to address the specific mental health issues," she said.

"The SPA report and the research we've done in conjunction with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at Latrobe University will help us to understand more clearly the risk factors for depression and anxiety in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people - and its impact on suicidal behaviour and self-harm," she said.

"We know that in many cases depression and anxiety in same-sex attracted people may be preventable. They are always treatable and effective treatments are available. We want everyone who needs help for depression and related disorders to get appropriate help as early as possible.

"beyondblue is committed to action, further research and materials to improve prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of depression and related disorders in the GLBTI community," she said.

• Click here to read Suicide Prevention Australia's Position Statement relating to suicide and self-harm among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
• Click here to read beyondblue Fact Sheet 40 - Depression and Anxiety in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
• Click here to read Youthbeyondblue Fact Sheet 22 - Depression and anxiety in young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex (GLBTI)