Overview
International research shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adolescents (‘LGBT youth’) are more prone to suicidal behaviour than the heterosexual and cisgender population. However, in Switzerland no studies are available that discuss suicide prevention approaches for LGBT youth as part of the national action plan on suicide prevention. It is in this context that from May to September 2019, a feasibility study funded by the Federal Office of Public Health was conducted. It investigated whether a larger-scale study with a qualitative-multi-perspective approach on the reasons for attempting suicide among Swiss LGBT youth should be considered and what aspects would have to be taken into account. The results of the feasibility study suggest that a qualitative study would indeed be feasible and might provide additional insight for both science and practice. If certain rules are followed, interviews of adolescents/young adults and their close environment after a suicide attempt can be conducted in a safe manner and it seems likely that LGBT youth can be motivated for participation in such an investigation. The constructed interview guide helps generate the verbal data needed to answer the research questions. The two LGBT youths interviewed for the feasibility study reported to have experienced the survey as not too stressful and assessed the format of the interview as appropriate and suitable. The 16 interviewed science (medicine, psychology, social science), prevention practice and LGBT community organisation experts assessed the qualitative-multi-perspective approach and the inclusion criteria as feasible and, overall, well-suited to help gather scientific knowledge and improve suicide prevention. The overall positive reaction suggests that this kind of research project might find broad support in both German and French-speaking Switzerland.
