Principal researchers
Professor Diego De Leo
Dr Kairi Kolves
Dr Delaney Skerrett
Institution
Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University
Funding
$210,200
Award type
beyondblue National Priority Driven Research Program
Project completion year
2015
Main Messages
- Younger LGBT suicides were characterised principally by non-acceptance of sexuality/gender (by family but also by self).
- LGBT suicides were more likely than living controls to feel (very) bad about their identity and internalised trans/homophobia and internalised shame were also elevated.
- Dissatisfaction with appearance was greater in LGBT suicides vs. living controls.
- LGBT individuals who died by suicide went through ‘coming out’ milestones some 2 years earlier, on average, than living LGBT controls.
- There was high incidence of relationship conflict in the lives of LGBT people who died by suicide and older suicides were chiefly characterised by this.
- LGBT suicide cases were more likely than living LGBT people to have experienced a serious physical assault as well as a sexual assault.
- LGBT suicides had 23 times higher odds of a current major depressive episode than living LGBT people. Anxiety disorders were also more prevalent in LGBT suicides.
- Odds of a previous attempt were 9 times higher in LGBT suicides than living controls.
- The prevalence of substance use disorders was lower in LGBT than in the non-LGBT suicide cases but elevated in suicides compared to LGBT living controls.
- LGBT suicide cases were more likely to have been under the care of psychiatrist and to be on medication and been a resident of a correctional or mental health facility.
- There was a higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS in LGBT suicides than non-LGBT suicides but not between suicides and living controls.
- LGBT people may require targeted approaches in mental health services, school-based programs, and public health and stigma reduction campaigns.
- The need for services to be inclusive of sexuality and gender diversity is highlighted.