Using photovoice to understand suicidality among gay, bisexual, and two-spirit men

This study explored the drivers of suicidality from the perspectives of gay, bisexual, and two-spirit men (GB2SM) with a history of suicidality. Twenty-one GB2SM participated in this photovoice study taking photographs to depict and discuss their previous suicidality. Data were collected from in-depth individual interviews in which participants discussed their photographs and in turn offered verbal/narrative accounts of suicidality. Drawing on intersectionality, analyses of the photographs and interview data revealed three interconnected themes. First, adverse childhood events and negative adolescent experiences were described as the root causes of mental health struggles and suicidality. Second, violence and homophobia had disrupted these men’s education and employment opportunities and some participants detailed how their lack of capital and challenges for maintaining employment shaped their suicidality. Third, a sociality of stigma and sense of isolation compounded experiences of suicidality. The three themes overlapped and were shaped by multiple intersectional axes including sexuality, class, ethnicity, and mental health status. The findings have implications for services and health professionals working with GB2SM who need to thoughtfully consider life-course trajectories and multiple social axes when assessing and treating GB2SM experiencing suicidality. More so, because these factors relate to social inequities, structural and policy changes warrant targeted attention.