Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and asexual (LGBTQA+) young adults encounter considerable health, social, and systemic inequalities, resulting in increased rates of discrimination, marginalisation, and suicidality compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. In Northern Ireland, there remains limited evidence on prevalence rates of mental health difficulties, childhood adversities, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidality among LGBTQA+ young people. Furthermore, there are limited qualitative studies which have investigated the lived experiences of LGBTQA+ young adults, as-well as perspectives and recommendations from healthcare service providers for mitigating suicide risk. This doctoral research constitutes the first theoretically grounded mixed methods research on the mental health requirements, lived experiences, and suicidality of LGBTQA+ young adults in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, its three empirical studies provide comprehensive, nuanced, and multi-faceted evidence which may inform service provision, early intervention or crisis intervention initiatives, inclusive mental health services, and tailored suicide prevention strategies for this population. A scoping review examining risk and protective factors for suicidality among LGBTQ+ young people from a socio-ecological perspective was conducted. The first empirical study, encompassing the quantitative findings, demonstrated that prevalence rates of mental health difficulties, childhood adversities, probable post-traumatic stress disorder, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidality were up to three times higher among LGBTQA+ higher education students, compared to heterosexual students. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) elucidated two central narratives: the psychosocial impact of negotiating multiple minoritised identities in a heteronormative and cisnormative society and navigating suicidal distress by regaining a sense of agency over your life. Focus-group interviews with healthcare service providers identified five primary areas for recommendations:Improving access to healthcare, Service improvement, Individualising care, and Opportunities for suicide prevention. This doctoral research addresses the dearth of existing local evidence, and provides valuable insight into the lived experiences, and specific health and social care needs of LGBTQA+ young adults in Northern Ireland.
- suicide prevention
- mental health
- LGBTQA+
- young adults
- Northern Ireland
Queering suicide prevention: a mixed methods study exploring the mental health needs, suicidality, and lived experiences of LGBTQA+ young adults in Northern Ireland
Wallace, E. R. (Author). Nov 2025
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis