Background: LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, asexual and other diverse sexualities and genders) young people aged 14-25 are at elevated risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Evidence suggests LGBTQA+ young people are up to six times as likely to report thinking about suicide, engaging in suicidal behaviour and/or having made a suicide attempt, compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This population also experiences many barriers to accessing safe and inclusive mental health care. Thus, there is urgent need for services to engage in appropriate and inclusive suicide prevention practices for this population.
Methods: We developed a set of guidelines outlining best practice for suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people within clinical and community settings using the Delphi consensus method. We recruited two panels of experts (research and clinical professionals, and LGBTQA+ youth with lived experience of suicidal thoughts/behaviour) to rate action statements regarding their relative importance in preventing suicide among LGBTQA+ young people. In total, 290 items were included in the final guidelines covering the following key areas: i) general principles for creating an affirming and inclusive environment for LGBTQA+ young people, ii) assessing suicide risk and working with suicidal LGBTQA+ young people, iii) Considerations for specific LGBTQA+ populations and iv) advocating for LGBTQA+ young people. We are developing a training program which we will trial and evaluate with service providers in Western Australia.
Results: The guidelines developed are the first of their kind, and provide practical guidance to service providers, with the aim of reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviours in LGBTQA+ young people across Australia. The guidelines are designed to be relevant and accessible to service providers regardless of prior knowledge of LGBTQA+ identities or mental health. This presentation will describe the development of the guidelines, provide an overview of our implementation plan and any preliminary results available.
Discussion: We anticipate these guidelines to have high applicability within a variety of community and clinical settings, broadly improving the support provided to LGBTQA+ young people. Through implementing a training program on the guidelines, service providers will be better able to support LGBTQA+ young people.