Marriage Equality: What Are the Mental Health Consequences of a "No" Result in the Postal Survey?

Trigger Warning: This article discusses suicide and depression.

5x.

The postal survey on marriage equality comes down to one number and one letter, terrifyingly aligned: 5x.

It’s not the name for the new iPhone. It’s not a beer from Queensland. And it’s not the latest Star Wars droid. 5x is the union that should keep every Australian up at night over the coming weeks, and beyond.

We'll explain below.

What Do I Absolutely, Positively Need to Know (and Do) to Vote on Marriage Equality in Australia?

From today, voters will begin receiving ballots in the mail offering them a chance to say 'Yes' or 'No' to same-sex marriage in Australia.

The journey to this point has been a long and arduous one, decades in the making for same-sex marriage campaigners, and several years for the Coalition government, which first committed to a nationwide plebiscite despite Parliament holding the power to change the Marriage Act whenever it chose to do so.

Last month, when the postal option became official (given the green light by the High Court last week), an enrolment drive began, resulting in 98,000 new voters being added to the roll. Of those, 65,000 were aged 18 – 24. It brings the total number of enrolled and eligible voters to more than 16 million.

But none of those impressive numbers—nor the five letters that make up ‘Yes’ and ‘No’—matter as much as the marriage of ‘5’ and ‘x’, and what it means for Australian youth: According to the National LGBTI Health Alliance, LGBTQI people aged 16 – 27 are 5x more likely to attempt suicide than the national average.

There are many convincing arguments for the "Yes" campaign: that love is love; that Australia is lagging the rest of the world; that marriage—more than civil partnerships—affords same-sex couples better protections; that more weddings could offer a billion-dollar boost to the economy.

But perhaps the most urgent reason is the all-too-real consequences of a "no" result for young Australians.

Thousands march in Sydney for #MarriageEquality and the #VoteYes campaign!! Let's do this Australia!!!! Vote #YesForEquality!! 🏳️‍🌈👬👭🌈 pic.twitter.com/29LVdOrOeP

— Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) September 10, 2017

The Facts

A national study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies recently found 10 per cent of 14 – 15-year-olds had self-harmed within the previous 12 months, and a further five per cent had attempted suicide.

As if that wasn’t concerning enough, AIFS' Executive Manager Dr. Galina Daraganova said in a statement, "Teens who reported that they were same-sex attracted, bisexual or unsure of their sexuality were at greater risk of self-harm, than heterosexual teens."

According to a local 2014 study, sixteen per cent of surveyed LGBTQI people aged 16 – 27 had reported suicide attempts; and in 2010, a report found 22 per cent of same-gender attracted and gender diverse young people between 14 and 21 had thoughts of suicide, with that number rising to 30 per cent when the young person had experienced verbal abuse, and to 60 per cent when they’d experienced physical abuse.

This problem is not unique to Australia. A 2010 study conducted in the United States found there was a 248.2 per cent increase of anxiety disorders among the lesbian, gay and bisexual population in states where same-sex marriage was not legalised, compared with those living in states with marriage equality.

More U.S. research also found a drop in suicide among high school students when nationwide marriage equality was introduced, amounting to approximately 134,000 fewer teens attempting suicide for every year same-sex marriage laws were in place.

In May, the Australian Medical Association came out in support of marriage equality, AMA President Dr. Michael Gannon noting, "Discrimination has a severe, damaging impact on mental and physiological health outcomes, and [LGBTQI] individuals have endured a long history of institutional discrimination in this country."

"These health outcomes are a consequence of discrimination and stigmatisation, and are compounded by reduced access to health care, again due to discrimination," he added.

"The lack of legal recognition can have tragic consequences in medical emergencies, as a person may not have the right to advocate for their ill or injured partner, and decision-making may be deferred to a member of the patient’s biological family instead."

Sydney says YES #marriageequality ❤️💜💛💙💚 pic.twitter.com/yHQCiTJs8g

— Women's March Sydney (@womensmarchsyd) September 10, 2017

Calls for Help

"It's important there’s a better understanding of how vulnerable kids are, generally," Anne Hollonds, Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, told Student Edge

"As a community, and particularly those in the community who are likely to be closest to young people—and I’m talking parents, friends, teachers, siblings—I think we need to get educated about this and understand there are things we can do," she added, speaking about support services for any teens who feel victimised.

One LGBTQI phone-counselling service in particular, QLife, recently revealed they had seen a more than 20 per cent increase in calls since the introduction of the plebiscite.

As an Equality Campaign spokesperson told us—and as is demonstrated by the sheer volume of statistics above—"Words hurt."

"Marriage equality is about real people, our friends and family, teammates and work colleagues who just want the same dignity as everyone else in their families," they added.

Jono Nicholas, CEO ReachOut Australia, told Student Edge "around 20,000" of the more than 130,000 young people in Australia who use ReachOut every month are "looking for advice on sexuality, sex and gender identity," and that "about 65 per cent say that they’re going through a tough time, and that they’re looking for help."

"We know that many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) young people are at greater risk of being marginalised, rejected or bullied," he said.

"You might feel isolated or confused by what you’re hearing during the debate. It’s important to remember to look after yourself and to ask for help if it becomes too overwhelming."

 

The Action

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull calls a 'yes' vote a vote for "fairness".

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, at this weekend’s massive rally in Sydney, said, "It’s time to make marriage equality a reality."

And we know Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans (and probably even Chris Pine) are on board.

Great turnout for the Marriage Equality March in Brisbane today. Hope there is also a great turnout for the vote. #VoteYes #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/Bw75svzLVE

— Nick Hamilton (@DoktrNick) September 10, 2017

Yet there have been 'No' ads filled with falsehoods and offensive flyers distributed by a Melbourne ‘white power’ hate group linking gay marriage with paedophilia.

For that reason, we need to ensure all young LGBTQI Australians—among our friends, family and colleagues—are supported during the voting period, between now and November 7 (the date all ballot papers need to be returned by).

The same goes in the aftermath of the survey’s result, which will be announced at 11:30am AEST on November 15.

Most importantly, remember to consider all of the above when you receive your voting ballot.

Speeches done. Time to march! #VoteYes #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/pHhiiNqkDC

— Chris 🌈😄🆈🅴🆂🗳 (@chris_hagen) September 10, 2017

If you’re not old enough to vote, but are worried about the result, remember…

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Photo: iStock.com/Marc Bruxelle