UNITE EVERY DAY, ASK R U OK?

R U OK? is calling on members of our LGBTIQ+ communities and their allies to ‘Unite every day, ask R U OK?’.


Everyone goes through tough times in life when we need support and our LGBTIQ+ friends sometimes have to deal with added challenges. An R U OK? conversation can make a difference when someone is struggling and you don’t have to be an expert to show you genuinely care.


Those who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans/transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) and sexuality, gender and bodily diverse might be subject to minority stress, prejudice, discrimination, violence or abuse. These factors mean LGBTIQ+ people can be more likely to experience depression and anxiety and be at risk of self-harm and suicide.


We can all play a role in supporting our friends by being a safe, welcoming space for them to turn to for support and for you to genuinely engage with them in an R U OK? conversation. It is important these conversations happen whenever we spot the signs someone in our world might be struggling.

JOIN OUR LGBTIQ+ MAILING LIST

LGBTIQ+ CONVERSATION GUIDE

LGBTI+ Community R U OK Guide Image

Our  conversation guide  contains tips to help you know when and how to have a conversation with someone who may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex, queer (LGBTIQ+), and other sexuality, gender and bodily diverse people including First Nations brotherboys and sistergirls. 


The guide was developed inn consultation with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?

Although most lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Australians live healthy and happy lives, research has shown that a disproportionate number experience poorer mental health outcomes and have higher risk of suicidal behaviours than their peers. These health outcomes are directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse on the basis of being LGBTIQ+. 


According to a 2020 study by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia:

  • LGBTIQ+ youth are five times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
  • 16 per cent of LGBTIQ+ youth have attempted suicide compared to 3.2 per cent of non-LGBTIQ+ youth in the same age bracket.
  • 48.1 per cent of Transgender and gender diverse people aged 14 to 25 have attempted suicide in their lifetime.
  • 77.6 per cent of bisexual people aged 18 and over reported having thoughts of suicide in their lifetime.
  • 60 percent of people with an Intersex variation aged 16 and over have had thoughts of suicide on the basis of issues related to having congenital sex variation.
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WE NEED TO TALK PODCAST SERIES

We need to talk podcast series image

A podcast for the rainbow communities and anyone who wants to lend support to the people in their world


'We Need To Talk' is a podcast about three simple words that can mean the world to someone who's going through tough times: 'are you OK?' 


Each episode of 'We Need To Talk' explores a topic that will help you lend support to the people in your world. Experts and people like you share their stories - sometimes confronting but always inspiring you with helpful insights and tips so you can start a conversation that could change a life

LISTEN HERE

FIND HELP

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QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex and/or queer (LGBTIQ+). QLife provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer-supported telephone and web-based services to people of all ages across the full breadth of people’s bodies, genders, relationships, sexualities, and lived experiences.


CALL 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight AEST)

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