LGBTIQ+ SUICIDE PREVENTION TRIAL
Overview
This evaluation report examines Mind Australia's Aftercare Program, an LGBTIQ+ suicide prevention trial delivered in North Western Melbourne from 2019-2021. The program provided peer and clinical support to 52 LGBTIQ+ individuals following suicide attempts or ideation. The evaluation found the program was highly effective, with 100% client satisfaction and significant improvements in mental health outcomes. However, it faced challenges including under-resourcing, staff turnover, and initial lack of cultural safety within the organization.
Key insights
Key Insights:
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100% client satisfaction - All clients felt safe, supported and would recommend the program
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86% reduction in suicidal ideation - Significant decrease in thoughts of self-harm among participants
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Peer support model highly effective - LGBTIQ+ staff with lived experience created reciprocal, affirming relationships
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Program filled critical service gap - Addressed lack of culturally-safe suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities
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Under-resourcing hampered implementation - Insufficient staffing and resources delayed full program establishment initially
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Cultural safety challenges - Mind Australia lacked LGBTIQ+ inclusive environment, though this improved over time
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COVID-19 created mixed impacts - Virtual delivery increased accessibility but reduced personal connection
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Strong collaboration achieved - Program successfully integrated with 13 different referral service providers
Did this resource draw on transformative evidence?
This document was heavily based on experiential expertise. The evaluation incorporated lived experience through:
- Program staff: LGBTIQ+ workers with mental health and suicidal ideation lived experience
- LGBTIQA+ LEAD advisory panel: Ongoing input from people with lived experience of suicidal ideation
- Co-design process: Extensive consultation with LGBTIQ+ individuals with suicide experience
- Client voices: Direct feedback from 8 program participants through surveys/interviews
This document incorporated significant practice wisdom through:
- Mind Australia's expertise: 40+ years of mental health service experience and LGBTIQ+ community work
- Staff insights: 5 program staff interviews sharing frontline practice knowledge
- Referrer perspectives: 7 referring practitioners provided service integration insights
- Peer practitioner experience: Direct practice wisdom from LGBTIQ+ peer workers with lived experience
This document was extensively based on research and evaluation insights:
- Mixed-methods evaluation: Surveys and interviews with clients, staff, and referrers
- Program logic framework: Structured evaluation design linking inputs to outcomes
- Thematic analysis: Systematic coding of qualitative data
- External research: Referenced studies like Private Lives 3 and international suicide prevention literature
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Categories
Resource type
Evidence Summary
Translational research priority theme
Culturally responsive, intersectional approaches to care
Population cohort
LGBTIQA+SB Communities