The rates of trans Australians attempting or dying by suicide are at crisis point. Misinformed media narratives of trans Australians lives, increasing violence and safety concerns, exclusion and isolation are all realities that every Australian trans person lives. Misinformation and intentional disinformation campaigns have impacted the wellbeing of trans people, their families and allies across Australia. These oppressive influences have increased over the last year, and the impact of this is being felt throughout the LGBTIQA+ community.
Literature will be presented that explores suicidality in the trans population across the lifespan, from youth and adolescence, to adult experiences. Community leaders will unpack how trans suicide is experienced at macro levels of society, and what really works to increase the resilience and quality of life for trans Australians.
The first presentation in this symposium will draw on leading research in trans youth mental health to provide an overview of what is currently known about suicide in this population. This will include a discussion of what is known about risk and protective factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviours in trans young people.
The second presentation will overview the current literature exploring the prevalent social and medical marginalisation that adult trans people face; and associations between these negative experiences and increased risk of depression, self-harm, and suicidality.
While LGBTIQ+ people are identified as a priority population in several national strategies, the needs of trans people have yet to be meaningfully and sustainably addressed through targeted public health measures. There is, therefore, a heavy reliance on LGBTIQA+ and trans-specific peer-led services, with public mental health services regularly discharging trans clients with active suicidality to the care of non-crisis LGBTQ+ community-managed NGOs. However, these services are severely under-resourced and underfunded, resulting in an inability to meet the demand for support.
The third presentation will speak about effectively intervening in the LGBTIQA+ space. Community-led LGBTIQA+ organisations are leading the way in co-created peer-led programs and services with trans community members with lived experience of suicide. These strengths-based and intersectionally focussed health promotion and service delivery interventions aim to increase safety, build resilience and enhance protective factors.
The final presentation will be reflections on the experience of being an expert witness and findings from the recent Victorian coronial inquest into the suicides of five trans women who died during the pandemic in Victoria.
The symposium concludes with a 10-minute question and answer opportunity with the panel.