Suicide Prevention in the Tasmanian LGBTI Community

JULIAN PUNCH

COPP Meeting with Dr Crawshaw & Mr Nick Goddard Mental Health (DHHS)

Executive representatives of the Coming Out Proud State Steering Committee met recently with Dr Crawshaw Chairperson of the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Committee and Mr Nick Goddard Director Mental Health (DHHS) to seek some understanding as to how the recommendations contained in the Submission made by the Coming Out Proud State Steering Committee to the State Wide Consultation – Suicide Prevention in Tasmania will be progressed.

Concern was expressed that the initial Report from the State Wide Suicide Prevention Consultation does not respond to the detailed recommendations contained in the COPP Submission. As well concern was expressed about the State Government’s position of low concern for the LGBTI community as regards the incidence of suicide and self harm expressed at the recent National Suicide Prevention Conference. This is not in line with the with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society findings that
Up to 31 per cent of gay people suffered anxiety disorders and depression compared with between 4 and 14 per cent of heterosexuals.
Seventeen per cent of young gay women had tried to harm or kill themselves in the previous six months, compared with 2 per cent of straight women.

The meeting was positive in progressing the COPP State Steering Committee concern to work closely with the State Suicide Prevention Committee in improving the situation for our community. It was stressed that COPP can assist through the four regional Community Liaison Committees as well as using the extensive data base of contact people in an evaluative and consultative model for assessing promotion and prevention strategies with members of the sexual and gender diverse community.
COPP has also expressed concern to the Minister Lara Giddings Department of Health & Human Services that the Tasmanian Sexual and Gender Diverse Community has not been included in the consultation paper ‘Your Care Your Say’ the DHHS Consumer Engagement Strategy.