TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Previous mental health care and help-seeking experiences: perspectives from sexual and gender minority survivors of near-fatal suicide attempts JO - Psychological services A1 - Holt, Natalie R. A1 - Botelho, Elliott A1 - Wolford-Clevenger, Caitlin A1 - Clark, Kirsty A. SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations face heightened risk of suicide compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, and a previous suicide attempt is among the strongest predictors of suicide mortality. Despite this increased risk, limited research has explored mental health help-seeking behavior and previous mental health care experiences of SGM individuals among the highest risk for suicide-individuals with a recent, near-fatal suicide attempt. This study presents thematic analysis results of interviews with 22 SGM individuals who reported at least one near-fatal suicide attempt in the past 18 months. Identified themes were (a) factors that affect help-seeking for SGM individuals with a recent, near-fatal suicide attempt, including previous mental health care experiences, support systems, and structural barriers and facilitators; (b) hospitalization is not a one-size fits all solution; and (c) recommendations for improving care for this population.

FINDINGS demonstrate that anti-SGM stigma may magnify existing barriers to mental health care across all socioecological levels. Notably, participants cited a fear of loss of autonomy from inpatient hospitalization and previous discriminatory experiences when seeking mental health care as hampering help-seeking. Given increased risk for suicide mortality, this patient population is a necessary stakeholder in suicide prevention and intervention development and policy discussions affecting mental health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1541-1559 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000745 ID - ref1 ER -