Title: Understanding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Adolescents' Suicide, Self-Harm and Help-Seeking Behaviour
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Background International research demonstrates that LGBT youth are at much higher risk of suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts (3). Stonewall research found that half of lesbian and bisexual women participants under the age of twenty had deliberately harmed themselves and sixteen percent had attempted to take their life (4). King et al’s (5) systematic review of sexual orientation and mental health research (mainly from the US) found that the higher risk of suicide and self-harm in LGB adults is likely to be related to social hostility and stigma (6). The UK evidence base is very limited. Consequently (and despite this higher population risk and manifest health inequality), there is an insufficient understanding of why LGBT adolescents may be at a high risk of suicidal feelings and self-harm. Furthermore, research on their help seeking behaviour which will be important in planning services to address this need, is non-existent (6). The purpose of the proposed study is to produce missing evidence to improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention polices, to improve service provision by targeting this high risk group, and to better tailor interventions which will prevent suicide. Aim The aim of the proposed study is to reduce the risk of suicide in lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adolescents (aged 16-25) by providing evidence to inform suicide prevention policy and mental health service provision. Objectives To provide evidence on why LGBT adolescents may be at risk of suicide and self-harm to inform suicide prevention policy. To provide evidence on the relationship between self-harm and suicidality in LGBT adolescents to inform interventions to prevent suicide. To increase understanding of LGBT adolescents’ help-seeking behaviour in relation to suicidal feelings and self-harm to support the development of suicide prevention policy and service provision. To capture LGBT adolescents’ views and experiences of suicide, self-harm and help-seeking behaviour to better understand how policy and services can reduce the risk of suicide. To provide evidence on why and how LGBT adolescents who self-harm and/or experience suicidal feelings use the internet to inform effective suicide prevention policies and services To capture mental health service staff views on LGBT youth and suicide prevention interventions. Research plan This mixed method study will be conducted in two phases over 23 months. Phase one involves 30 semi-structured interviews with LGBT adolescents, half online (n=15), and half face-to-face (n=15). The target population are LGBT adolescents aged between 16 and 25 years old, living in England, who have experienced self-harm and/or suicidal feelings. A convenience sample will be generated using purposeful sampling techniques (7). The aim is to generate in-depth, exploratory data from the perspectives of LGBT adolescents. drawing from the results of phase one, phase two will utilize two online questionnaires: i) a LGBT youth questionnaire employing a community-based sampling strategy; ii) a mental health service staff online questionnaire sampling across three NHS Trusts. Research Team The research team have between them many years of experience of completing mental health research for policy and service development. The lead applicant is an expert on LGBT adolescents’ suicide and self-harm and has developed, via three previous studies, ethical and appropriate methods to research this sensitive topic and hard-to-reach group. Potential impact The research will produce evidence, which is currently missing, on LGBT adolescents’ suicide, self-harm and help-seeking behaviour and will impact on: i) the National Suicide Prevention Strategy; ii) NHS and social care organisations working with LGBT adolescents by providing evidence which can be used to tailor interventions to prevent suicide; iii) LGBT adolescents by improving suicide prevention policy and services.


Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH