A scoping review of suicide prevention initiatives for sexual and gender minority people

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people experience elevated rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. This scoping review examines the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs for SGM people. Eligibility criteria included: the intervention was specifically designed for SGM people or specific analysis of SGM (sub)samples; reported suicide or suicide-related outcomes; and provided an evaluation of the intervention or initiative. We searched relevant databases and reference lists for peer-reviewed, English-language papers and gray literature published between 2010 and 2021. The scoping review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and used the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine rating system. Twenty-three studies assessed legislative changes, a community public health campaign, school-based initiatives, and therapeutic interventions. The quality of the evidence was varied, from case–control and observational studies to higher-quality randomized controlled trials of therapeutic interventions. Program impacts on suicidal outcomes were mixed. Among sexual minority people, significant reductions in suicidal outcomes were associated with legislative changes, the public health campaign, school-based initiatives, and psychosocial interventions. Among gender minority people, significant reductions in suicidal outcomes were observed following gender-affirming treatments, psychosocial interventions, and legislation change. Most studies are limited by methodological issues, including lack of control groups and standardized measures, and conflation of SGM, which is common in the literature. Promising interventions and initiatives for suicide prevention in SGM people exist but require further development and evaluation in collaboration with SGM community members. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)