A new publication led by Jana Koch, in collaboration with several researchers from the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, has explored how intersectional discrimination may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours across adulthood.
Suicide remains a major public health issue in Australia, with growing recognition that social and environmental factors play an important role in shaping mental health outcomes. The study examined how discrimination based on multiple aspects of a person’s identity - referred to as intersectional discrimination - relates to suicide ideation and attempts across the adult lifespan.
Using data from more than 1,500 Australian adults participating in the Resilient Minds (ReMind) study, researchers found that anticipated discrimination, major lifetime discrimination and day-to-day discrimination were all associated with increased risk of suicide ideation. Importantly, everyday discrimination, such as repeated experiences of exclusion or unfair treatment in workplaces, schools and community settings, was also linked to suicide attempts.
While larger social networks did not directly buffer suicide risk, stronger social connection was associated with lower depressive symptoms, reinforcing the importance of human connection for mental wellbeing.
“Our findings highlight that discrimination is not just a social issue - it is also a significant mental health and suicide prevention issue,” says lead author Jana Koch. “Reducing persistent everyday discrimination and strengthening opportunities for social connection may play an important role in supporting mental health across the lifespan.”
“The findings reinforce growing calls for more inclusive and culturally responsive approaches to suicide prevention, particularly as Australia’s population becomes increasingly diverse.”