National campaign for LGBTIQA+SB suicide prevention

On 18 July 2024, Switchboard Victoria launched Changing the Landscape, a national campaign dedicated to making LGBTIQA+SB suicide prevention a national priority.

The campaign launch included the release of the Changing the Landscape Statement, which was created by a community of diverse LGBTIQA+SB people with lived experiences of suicide who have proudly shared their knowledge and expertise.

The statement outlines three foundational changes that will have a significant and enduring impact on LGBTIQA+SB people and communities:

1. Recognition: Recognising and committing to integrating LGBTIQA+SB individuals into all suicide prevention approaches, supporting community-led responses and improving data collection.
2. Community Leadership: Including LGBTIQA+SB individuals in all prevention approaches, investing in LGBTIQA+SB voices and supporting peer support programs.
3. Funding: Ensuring sustainable funding for LGBTIQA+SB community-led suicide prevention, providing proportionate funding to address the scope of the issue, and prioritising funding for community-led suicide prevention service gaps.

LGBTIQA+SB people experience disproportionately higher rates of suicide, suicidal thoughts, distress and attempts compared to non-LGBTIQA+SB individuals. These higher rates are not due to being LGBTIQA+SB but instead stem from the distress caused by discrimination, prejudice, abuse and exclusion.

Changing the Landscape is a commitment to creating a future where LGBTIQA+SB suicide prevention is a national priority. LGBTIQA+SB people deserve to feel hopeful about their futures, live full lives and access affirming services when needed.

Learn more about the Changing the Landscape campaign

Read and affirm the Changing the Landscape statement