EXCLUDING same-sex couples from the institution of marriage sends a message that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is acceptable, reports clinical leader at headspace Dubbo Ann-Maree Hartley.
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She said exclusion and discrimination were responsible for an elevated level of mental health problems in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning and Asexual (LGBTIQA) populations.
"LGBTIQA have the highest rate of suicidality-suicidal thoughts, attempts and death by suicide," Ms Hartley said.
"This is 14 times greater than heterosexual peers."
The psychologist and suicidologist, who founded and leads the suicide-prevention initiative called the Connected Communities Project (CCP), has entered the debate on same-sex marriage because of what she calls "catastrophic" LGBTIQA rural suicide rates.
"I am passionate about the message of equality for this reason," she told the Daily Liberal.
"Research has shown that elevated mental health issues in the LGBTIQA populations isn't because of sexuality or gender identity issues, rather because of exclusion and discrimination," she said.
"Marriage equality falls under this umbrella. A lack of marriage equality is treating LGBTIQA people as legally unequal to heterosexual peers by not allowing them the same life choices."
Ms Hartley said LGBTIQA populations had one of the poorest mental health rates of all Australian groups.
About 80 per cent of young people in LGBTIQA populations had met the criteria for a mental health disorder in the past year.
Ms Hartley said in order to improve their mental health outcomes, support had to be provided at interpersonal, sociocultural and institutional levels.
"As a result all levels of community including our local, state and federal representatives in government need to promote sexuality and gender equality and inclusion," she said.
"Without all levels of government supporting LGBTIQA inclusion, there is a failure to recognise the needs of all LGBTIQA constituents."
Ms Hartley launched the non-profit and volunteer-run CCP in 2013 with the $10,000 she received as the individual category winner of the Don Ritchie Suicide Prevention Award.
Its vision is for people in the bush to be able to seek and receive appropriate help when experiencing suicidal thoughts, and for those whose lives are touched by suicide to be supported by their communities.
Its current and future projects can be found at www.ruralccp.org.
The National Youth Mental Health Foundation called headspace offers health advice, support and information to children, teenagers and young adults aged 12 to 25 who are "going through a tough time" due to the likes of depression, anxiety and bullying.
The headspace Dubbo operates out of 23 Church Street and can be contacted by calling 5852 1900.
