This paper investigates the key causes of distress that impact on the mental health or wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people and/or increase their risk of suicidal behaviours. It provides an overview of the mental health services available and provided to LGBTQ+ people and identifies the key issues and barriers they face when accessing these services. This research included an applied literature review to provide evidence-based insights from Australia and the UK (as a comparator international context) to help inform policy development for the Australian Government's 10 year National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people.

The paper finds that LGBTQ+ people experience a range of distinctive external stressors that can impact their mental health, including discrimination, victimisation, and isolation. There were mixed findings from the literature review on the quality and performance of mental health and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ people. Some received accessible, safe and effective services, but other studies identified issues such as knowledge deficits among providers, microaggressions from providers, inequitable and unsafe care in inpatient and emergency services, and lack of timely access to services. Service gaps identified included provider shortages, lack of lived experience involvement, inconsistent care quality, lack of linkage between services, and financial cost.

The authors distil eight overarching principles from the literature to inform the development of the National Action Plan and identify six core policy directions:

• build on this research and leverage existing initiatives;
• invest in targeted research and improved data;
• expand LGBTQ+ specific and intersectional service offerings;
• address stigmatisation, discrimination, and capabilities within mainstream health services;
• collaborate across sectors to build connection and promote inclusion; and
• adopt and promote the consistent use of inclusive and affirming language.

This resource includes an applied systematic literature review .