Our work with LGBTI communities

Since 2009, Beyond Blue has been working to reduce prejudice and discrimination that can lead to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts for lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, intersex (LGBTI)1 and other diverse communities.

The majority of LGBTI people lead happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. However, discrimination towards LGBTI people continues to occur in Australia. Research shows that prejudice and discrimination are major contributors to the development of anxiety, depression, suicide and related conditions among same-sex and more than one gender attracted people and intersex and transgender diverse people. 

Beyond Blue will continue to develop partnerships with LGBTI stakeholders to deliver initiatives that benefit the mental health of all people in these communities.

Find out more about our work

Programs and campaigns

Stop. Think. Respect. 

Stop. Think. Respect. Left Handed is a TV and online campaign working to reduce the impact of discrimination on the mental health of LGBTI people. The campaign encourages everyone to stop discrimination, think about how the things you say and do affect others, and respect people who are different from you. 

Take action before the blue takes over

The Take action before the blue takes over campaign encouraged LGBTI people to take action against depression and anxiety by improving their understanding of the signs and symptoms of these conditions, learning about how to get support, and encouraging everyone to develop an action plan to maintain good mental health.

Families like mine

Families like mine is an online multimedia guide offering advice and guidance for families on how to support and provide an inclusive environment for their young lesbian, gay, bisexual or gender diverse family members.

Consultation with older LGBTI people

In collaboration with researchers, Beyond Blue has commissioned a series of interviews with older LGBTI people to inform our work. You can find the results in the research project No need to straighten up: Discrimination, depression, anxiety and older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians.

Beyond Blue has also supported the development of free educational resources for aged care providers to improve mental health for older LGBTI people (under the Aged care resources tab on the page).  

LGBTI Mental Health Roundtable

In 2009, Beyond Blue hosted an LGBTI Mental Health Roundtable Discussion to explore a range of issues to do with the impact of discrimination on the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety among LGBTI populations. That discussion led Beyond Blue to make two key commitments:

  • to develop a community awareness campaign to highlight the disabling effects of stigma and discrimination on the prevalence of depression and anxiety among LGBTI populations
  • to support research to examine risk factors for depression and anxiety among LGBTI populations, and promote evidence-based best practice in depression and anxiety by supporting research initiatives that address critical knowledge gaps and promote excellence in intervention strategies for LGBTI populations.

Research relating to LGBTI communities

The aim of Beyond Blue's research program is to contribute evidence-based best practice in depression and anxiety by supporting research initiatives that address critical knowledge gaps and promote excellence in intervention strategies across target population groups and settings. 

Market research

In my shoes

'In my shoes' was an online community formed for a six week period to discuss discrimination, depression and anxiety experienced by same-sex attracted, bisexual, sex- and gender-diverse Australians. This online community was hosted and facilitated by market research company Latitude Insights.

Over 80 people participated in the online forum, sharing their stories, thoughts and opinions about the discrimination, prejudice and harassment experienced, about depression, anxiety and the road to recovery. There were also suggestions of how a community awareness campaign could encourage discussion of these complex issues.

Beyond Blue sincerely thanks all the participants of the online forum for their invaluable contributions that have shaped our community awareness campaign.

Partnerships

Beyond Blue partners with a range of organisations that deliver services in the area of sexuality, gender diversity and intersex status.

Expert Advisory Panel and partnerships

In 2012–13 Beyond Blue established an Expert Advisory Panel to provide advice on Beyond Blue's work with LGBTI communities. Partnerships between Beyond Blue and LGBTI community organisations and leaders will be maximised to build on and extend the work of the Stop. Think. Respect. campaign.

Resources

Beyond Blue offers a free catalogue of resources for people, their partners, family and friends, and for health professionals who work in mental health.

More information on LGBTI communities
Beyond Blue works to equip LGBTI people with the knowledge and skills to maintain their own good mental health and wellbeing, and recognise symptoms in people close to them, in order to prevent the development a mental health condition.

Read more information, advice and personal stories of LGBTI peoples' experience with depression, anxiety and suicide.

Find out more

 

1. Throughout this website lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) and bodily, gender, and sexuality diverse people and communities are referred to with the acronym LGBTI. We recognise that there are distinct differences across individual identities and bodily states in these communities and a wide range of diversity.

For a full list of references for the statistics on this page, and any others across the website, please visit the references page and search through the relevant category.