Are LGBT Populations at a Higher Risk for Suicidal Behaviors in Australia? Research Findings and Implications

Abstract

The aim of this article is to review the Australian literature about suicidality in minority sexual identity and/or behavior groups in order to determine the evidence base for their reported higher vulnerability to suicidal behaviors than heterosexual and non-transgendered individuals in the Australian context, as well as to identify the factors that are predictive of suicidal behaviors in these groups in Australia. A literature search for all available years (until the end of 2012) was conducted using the databases Scopus, Medline, and Proquest for articles published in English in peer-reviewed academic journals. All peer-reviewed publications that provided empirical evidence for prevalence and predictive factors of suicidal behaviors among LGBT individuals (or a subset thereof) in Australia were included. Reference lists were also scrutinized to identify "gray" literature for inclusion. The results revealed that there is only limited research from Australia. Nevertheless, although no population-based studies have been published, research indicates that sexual minorities are indeed at a higher risk for suicidal behaviors. In order to further the understanding of suicidal behaviors and potential prevention among LGBT groups in the Australia, further research is needed, particularly on fatal suicidal behaviors.

Sexual orientation openness and depression symptoms: A population-based study.

“…Non-systematic and non-representative data collection. There is a need for the systematic inclusion of measures on sexual minority status in population-based surveys and other forms of large-scale data collections in order to generate representative datasets with information on sexual orientation (Blais et al, 2015;Blondeel et al, 2018;Brennan et al, 2017;Goldbach et al, 2014;Haas et al, 2011;Lannert, 2015;Russell & Fish, 2016;Semlyen et al, 2016;Skerrett et al, 2015). Representative datasets of sexual minority populations could further facilitate the generalizability of findings, as convenience sampling may often lead to the underrepresentation of certain subgroups, like those concealing their sexual identity (Meyer & Wilson, 2009).…”

“…Representative datasets of sexual minority populations could further facilitate the generalizability of findings, as convenience sampling may often lead to the underrepresentation of certain subgroups, like those concealing their sexual identity (Meyer & Wilson, 2009). Such datasets would enable the assessment of mental health disparities over time and systematically collected data would facilitate the possibility to pool data to create large enough datasets for the examination of the intersectionality of sexual minority status with various other stigmatized identities (Blais et al, 2015;Blondeel et al, 2018;Bränström et al, 2019;Brennan et al, 2017;Goldbach et al, 2014;Haas et al, 2011;Lannert, 2015;Russell & Fish, 2016;Semlyen et al, 2016;Skerrett et al, 2015).…”

Suicides among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations in Australia: An analysis of the Queensland Suicide Register

“…A review of the evidence base for a heightened vulnerability to suicidal behaviors among LGBTI populations in Australia by Skerrett et al . (; ) found that sexual minorities are indeed at a higher risk for nonfatal suicidality.…”

“…Skerrett et al . (; ) reported that there were no existing studies on the relationship between those that have died by suicide and sexuality in Australia at the time of writing.…”

Characteristics of Stress and Suicidal Ideation in the Disclosure of Sexual Orientation among Young French LGB Adults

“…Lesbians, gays, and bisexual people (LGB) present higher levels of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide than heterosexuals [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. French studies have yielded similar results [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”