Just days after her controversial remarks regarding Marriage Equality and an Australian republic the Governor General has spoken out on the topic of suicide rates of people of diverse sexuality and gender.
Today in Melbourne the Governor General, Quentin Bryce launched an e-book by mental health advocacy group beyondblue. ‘Families Like Mine’ includes advice for families of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
According to the latest studies, same-sex attracted and bisexual people are up to 14 times more likely to try to take their own lives and three times more likely to develop depression than straight people. beyondblue hopes that by developing Australians first online e-book to help their families support LGBT people they will make a difference to those figures..
‘Families Like Mine’, is a multimedia guide that offers practical advice and guidance.
“This is too high a price to pay for our young people. We cannot allow another person to be lost,” Ms Bryce said at the launch.
“Everyone here would want all young people to know that they are not alone, that as a society, we do care. They can live rich and rewarding lives but sometimes they just need our support.