We have today released our formal response to the Private Lives 3 National Report, the Productivity Commission’s Final Report on mental health and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Interim Advice to the Prime Minister.

Findings from Private Lives 3 clearly demonstrate that for many LGBTI people, their mental health and wellbeing is in a state of crisis.

Associate Professor Adam Bourne, a co-author of the study, said: “the findings of this survey reinforce what many working within this sector have known for a long time - that levels of mental ill health and suicidality are alarmingly high among the LGBTQ community. Such mental health challenges have to be understood within the context of continuing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, which are also documented within the Private Lives 3 study.”

“The release of these findings alongside a report of the Productivity Commission and Christine Morgan’s Interim Report to the Prime Minister is a reminder of the need to ensure marginalised populations are not forgotten in the continuing efforts to tackle mental health and prevent suicide in Australia,” Adam Bourne, said.

Despite a thorough discussion on the issues our communities face, the Alliance is concerned that the Productivity Commission’s Final Report on mental health, and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Interim Advice fail to recommend specific solutions that focus on dismantling the structural drivers that contribute to the high prevalence of mental health issues and suicidality among LGBTI populations.

“There needs to be an urgent, whole-of-government response nationally that is coordinated with the states and territories, and includes well-resourced LGBTI community controlled health organisations, to address these ongoing issues”, CEO of the Alliance, Nicky Bath, said.

“The Alliance, along with its members, will continue to advocate strongly for the investment that is urgently required to ensure that our communities’ mental health and wellbeing needs are met”, Ms. Bath, concluded.

Download Alliance's Brief Analysis

Download Response to Private Lives 3

If you are experiencing distress and would like to talk with someone on the phone or over the web, then please call QLife on 1800 184 527 or go to www.qlife.org.au

Media Contact: Nicky Bath, CEO | Mobile: 0432 328 706 | Email: [email protected]