Voices from the Black Rainbow Indigenous LGBQTI people in suicide prevention — Agentur Pty Ltd
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  3. Voices from the Black Rainbow Indigenous LGBQTI people in suicide prevention

Voices from the Black Rainbow Indigenous LGBQTI people in suicide prevention (205)

Dameyon Bonson 1
  1. Indigenist – Advocate of Indigenous Genius and Indigeniety, Djugun, WA, Australia

Background:

The ill health and suicide rated for Indigenous Australians are well known and depending on region can fluctuate between 4 times the national average to 12 times. Similarly LGBQTI populations are also a high risk from suicidal ideation and social and emotional unrest. However, there is a paucity of information at the intersect of both Aboriginality and Sexuality (and Gender diversity).

Methods:

The voices of Indigenous LGBQTI peoples were work shopped via an Indigenous methodology called "Yarning Circles" (Bessarab & Ng’andu 2010). These voices have been collated with the responses to an online survey circulated via Indigenous LGBQTISGBB networks; additional voices have been collected via "tweet yarns" (Parker 2014).

Results/Discussions:

A review of available and relevant literature, going back 15 years of both Indigenous health and LGBQTI health was undertaken; including the current National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (NATSIHP) 2013-2015, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2013 (ATSISPS) and any national LGBTI Health Strategies. An online survey was created with 10 questions, a workshop was also created to capture the need and indicate the level of work in this area. Twitter was also used to collect information. Two key questions were – Have you seen an Indigenous LGBQTISGBB health, wellbeing and suicide prevention strategies and activities and if not, would you like to see one. Over 98% of respondents had not seen Indigenous LGBQTISGBB health, wellbeing and suicide prevention strategies and activities and 99% wanted to see one. These narratives provide the foundations for further discussion in this area.

Conclusions/implications: It is anticipated that the implications of these findings will act as a mechanism to generate 'new ideas and innovative solutions to improve health' for diverse sexual orientations as set out in the NATSIHP 2013-2015. Additionally, call for the amendment of the current ATSISPS, and influence any national LGBTISPS.

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