Kat Elsby uses lived experience to train non-binary suicide prevention workers as Australian contemplation rates soar

Growing up Kat felt like an alien dropped off on the wrong planet. They aren’t alone with a heartbreaking 79 per cent of non-binary Australians contemplating suicide.

Despite growing awareness of mental health issues, suicide remains a critical concern for the nation’s LGBTQ+ community. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Growing up, Kat Elsby always felt like there was something missing.

Assigned female at birth, Kat felt like an “alien dropped off on the wrong planet” most of their life.

“I felt like an alien that just looked like everyone else but didn’t feel like them,” Kat, who is a non-binary trans person, said.

“I just didn’t understand people talking about feeling like a girl or a woman.

“None of this stuff made sense to me.”

This feeling took a heavy toll on Kat’s mental health, including suicidal thoughts and attempts.

It wasn’t until Kat was 23 that they learnt about gender diverse terms and everything clicked.

“It was like a light bulb going off in my head and a huge part of myself suddenly made sense,” Kat, now 38, said.

“I’ve known these things about myself my whole life, I just didn’t have the words to describe them.

“But it was also that knowledge of if there’s other people out there like me, I’ll be able to find them.”

Despite growing awareness of mental health issues, suicide remains a critical concern for the nation’s LGBTQ+ community.

Kat Elsby (they/them) helps others find their way back from the edge as a suicide prevention worker. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Non-binary people are among the most vulnerable, experiencing mental health issues at more than double the rate of cisgender people.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 79 per cent of non-binary people have experienced suicidal thoughts compared to 14 per cent of men and 18 per cent of women.

“It’s the norm to think maybe the world would be better off if I wasn’t here and that is absolutely heartbreaking,” Kat said.

“We lose so many people because it’s not just that people struggle with these thoughts, it’s that they act on them.”

The Adelaide local, who trains suicide prevention workers at prevention organisation Roses in the Ocean, said peer support from LGBTQ+ people with lived experience went a long way.

Through the organisation’s Peer CARE Companion Warmline, people can connect with someone “who shares aspects of their identity”.

“It makes a real difference when people can connect with someone who’s walked a similar path.”

Proper training in LGBTQ+ services and correct pronoun use is crucial for inclusive healthcare.

“Some services still don’t get the basics right,” Kat said.

“People often have to educate services about their gender identity or sexuality just to get support.”

For those struggling with their mental health, it’s never too late to reach out.

“There are people out there that will understand you and they will accept you,” Kat said.

“It can feel very lonely but there are fantastic spaces out there like Shine SA, Thorne Harbour Health, Headspace and Safe Haven.”

If you or a loved one needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 41

Originally published as Kat Elsby uses lived experience to train non-binary suicide prevention workers as Australian contemplation rates soar