LGBTQ+ participants identify compassionate care and social support needs

Researchers analyzed narrative responses from 748 LGBTQ+ participants in the United States and United Kingdom who completed a cross-sectional online survey. The questions addressed improving mental health services, seeking support when experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and defining support and family. A rapid qualitative approach organized responses into 29 codes, with patterns explored by country, gender and whether participants were out about their identity.

Participants most often highlighted compassionate care, including gender-affirming care, and accessible appointments as mental health service needs. A greater proportion of transgender than cisgender participants discussed compassionate care. Respondents commonly reported having disclosed, or intending to disclose, suicidal thoughts to close social ties. Unconditional love, including outside relationships with family of origin, was a prominent feature of participants’ definitions of family.

The findings describe participants’ perspectives rather than testing an intervention or measuring effects on suicidal behavior. Recruitment channels, compensation and missingness differed between the two countries, limiting robust cross-national comparisons. The authors conclude that relational and person-centered approaches should be considered when addressing LGBTQ+ mental health needs and suicide prevention.