What will it take? Advancing suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ communities
Event status:
Learn from innovative strengths-based approaches shaping the future of LGBTQ+ suicide prevention.
- Date:
- Wednesday 22 April 2026 01:00 pm until Wednesday 22 April 2026 04:00 pm (Add to calendar)
- Contact:
- Ruby Grant
r.grant@latrobe.edu.au - Presented by:
- ARCSHS & Switchboard Victoria
- Type of Event:
- Forum/symposium; Public Lecture; Public
What does effective LGBTQ+ suicide prevention look like?
Join us for an afternoon seminar bringing together researchers, practitioners and community organisations to explore strengths-based approaches to prevention.
Featuring:
- A keynote from international expert Associate Professor Olivier Ferlatte (Canada)
- New national LGBTQ+ mental health research
- Protective factors for Aboriginal LGBTQA+ youth
- Community practice insights from Switchboard
While decades of research have documented significant disparities in suicidal ideation and attempts among LGBTQ+ populations, there remains a critical gap between what we know and what we do in suicide prevention practice and policy. This event brings together researchers and community practitioners to share emerging evidence and practical strategies for change.
The program will feature intersectional analyses of mental health and suicidality data from national LGBTQ+ surveys, findings from the Walkern Katatdjin study on factors that reduce suicidal ideation and attempts among Aboriginal LGBTQA+ youth, and reflections from Rainbow Health Australia and Switchboard on community-led approaches to suicide prevention and suicide bereavement support.
The seminar will conclude with a keynote from internationally recognised Canadian researcher Associate Professor Olivier Ferlatte. Drawing on more than a decade of community-based and participatory research in Canada, Associate Professor Ferlatte will explore how suicide prevention research can move beyond documenting disparities to generating innovative, actionable solutions for LGBTQ+ communities. This keynote offers a rare opportunity to learn from leading international work shaping the future of LGBTQ+ suicide prevention.
Accessibility
This is a hybrid event, and can be attended in-person at the La Trobe city campus, or on Zoom. For in-person attendees, please supply your dietary requirements on booking.
La Trobe City Campus is fully wheelchair accessible. If you have specific access requests, please contact arcshs@latrobe.edu.au as soon as possible.
Support available
We acknowledge that many in our communities have lived and living experience of suicide and suicide bereavement. Suicide is preventable and we all have a role to play in reducing its impact on LGBTQ+ people. Support will be available during this event (in person and online) should you need to talk to someone.
In an emergency call 000
Rainbow Door (10am-6pm)
Call: 1800 729 367 / Text: 0480 017 246
Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
Online: www.switchboard.org.au
QLife (3pm-midnight)
Call: 1800 184 527
Online: www.qlife.org.au
Lifeline (24 hours)
Call: 13 11 14 / Text: 0477 13 11 14
Online: lifeline.org.au
13YARN (24 hours)
Information and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in all states and territories
Call: 13 92 76
Online: www.13yarn.org.au
Hybrid event - La Trobe City Campus, Room 2.11, Level 2, 360 Collins St Melbourne & online
360 Collins St Melbourne
La Trobe City Campus / Zoom
360 Collins St Melbourne, room 2.11
Other events by type
- All That is Alive curator led tours
Mar 5, 2026 12:00 pm - BLOOM Symposium - Wellbeing for Autistic children
Mar 20, 2026 9:15 am - Healthy Ageing in Asia-Pacific
Mar 23, 2026 3:30 pm - The Dragon's Emerging Order: Sino-centric Multilateralism and Global Responses
Mar 27, 2026 2:00 pm - Age-friendly Actions for Living Well
Mar 31, 2026 10:30 am
