Suicide among LGBTQ people

Numerous studies have shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth have a higher rate of suicide attempts than do heterosexual and cisgender youth. According to a Trevor Project 2023 survey, 18% of LGBTQ youth have attempted suicide, a rate 2 times higher than teenaged general population. LGBTQ youth are not inherently suicidal; rather, the higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and overall mental health problems among LGBTQ teenagers compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers has been attributed to minority stressors, such as discrimination, violence, bullying, as well parental disapproval. Their research showed that LGBTQ youths "who experience high levels of rejection from their families during adolescence (when compared with those young people who experienced little or no rejection from parents and caregivers) were more than eight times [more] likely to have attempted suicide, more than six times likely to report high levels of depression, more than three times likely to use illegal drugs, and more than three times likely to be at high risk for HIV or other STDs" by the time they reach their early 20s. In terms of school climate, "approximately 25 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual students and university employees have been harassed due to their sexual orientation, as well as a third of those who identify as transgender, according to the study and reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education." Research has found the presence of support groups, such gay–straight alliances (GSAs), in schools is associated with significantly improved mental health outcomes. Transgender suicides Transgender individuals suffer from a far higher suicide rate than the general population. Studies identify a lack of access to gender-affirming care and negative societal attitudes (such as discrimination, violence, and rejection by family members) as reasons for this disparity. Individual studies have also shown that puberty blockers may have a positive effect on the mental health of trans youth, but reviews of the medical literature have concluded that the evidence-quality of these studies is quite low. A multi-year study published in September 2024 found that the passing of anti-trans laws that resulted in the restriction to transgender care, including restriction on access to puberty blockers, may have corresponded to negative mental health outcomes for transgender youth. The study followed the enactment of several laws in US states on restricting such access, which happened prior to a 7–72% increase of suicide attempts in transgender youth within one to two years. Research on risk factors Ethnicity Ethnicity and higher levels of parental education have been shown not to significantly impact LGBTQ+ suicide statistics in at least one study, while other studies do show an impact. A survey by the National LGBTQ Task Force found that among black transgender respondents, 49% reported having attempted suicide. Additional findings were that this group reported that 26% are unemployed and 34% reported an annual income of less than $10,000 per year. 41% of respondents reported homelessness at some point in their lives, which is more than five times the rate of the general US population. Familial acceptance Familial responses to LGBTQ youth identities differ from person to person. They range from acceptance to outright rejection of the LGBTQ individual. "Family connectedness" is important in any young person's life because it helps establish positive mental health. One of the negative outcomes of LGBTQ youth confiding in family members about their sexual identities is the risk of being kicked out of their homes. When young people do not have support and acceptance from their family, they are more likely to turn to other, riskier sources. Among transgender youth, these effects may be even more pronounced. In a separate survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth, those who described their families as "supportive" reported a suicide attempt rate that was less than half of those who did not. Another, far smaller, survey showed those that reported being strongly supported by their parents having a 93% lower suicide attempt rate. Institutionalized and internalized homophobia Institutionalized and internalized homophobia may also lead LGBTQ youth to not accept themselves and have deep internal conflicts about their sexual orientation. Parents may abandon or force children out of home after the child's coming out. Homophobia arrived at by any means can be a gateway to bullying which can take many forms. Physical bullying is kicking, punching, while emotional bullying is name calling, spreading rumors and other verbal abuse. Cyber bullying involves abusive text messages or messages of the same nature on social media networks. Sexual bullying includes inappropriate touching, lewd gestures or jokes. Bullying may be considered a "rite of passage", but studies have shown it has negative physical and psychological effects. "Sexual minority youth, or teens that identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual, are bullied two to three times more than heterosexuals", and "almost all transgender students have been verbally harassed (e.g., called names or threatened in the past year at school because of their sexual orientation (89%) and gender expression (89%)") according to Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's ''Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth In Our Nation's Schools''. ==Impact of same-sex marriage==

Across OECD countries, the legalisation of same-sex marriage is associated with reductions in the suicide rate of youth aged 10–24, with this association persisting into the medium term. The establishment of the legal right of same-sex marriage in the United States is associated with a significant reduction in the rate of attempted suicide among children, with the effect concentrated among children of a minority sexual orientation. A study of nationwide data from across the United States from January 1999 to December 2015 revealed that the recognition of same-sex marriage is associated with a significant reduction in the rate of attempted suicide among children, with the effect being concentrated among children of a minority sexual orientation (LGBTQ youth), resulting in approximately 134,000 fewer children attempting suicide each year in the United States. Comparable findings are observed outside the United States. A study using cross-country data from 1991 to 2017 for 36 OECD countries found that same-sex marriage legalization is associated with a decline in youth suicide of 1.191 deaths per 100,000 youth, with this reduction persisting at least into the medium term. OECD countries A study of country-level data across 36 OECD countries from 1991 to 2017 found that same-sex marriage legalization reduced the suicide rate of youth aged 10–24 by 1.191 deaths per 100,000 youth, equal to a 17.90% decrease. According to Julie Cerel, director of the Suicide Prevention & Exposure Lab at the University of Kentucky, LGBTQ children "experience much more interpersonal stress from schools, from peers and from home". The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that more than 1 in 5 young adults (22%) attempted suicide in 2021. Stigma and violence against LGBTQ teens has greatly contributed to their mental health. ==Developmental psychology perspectives==

The diathesis-stress model suggests that biological vulnerabilities predispose individuals to different conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and mental health conditions like major depression, a risk factor for suicide. Varying amounts of environmental stress increase the probability that these individuals will develop that condition. Minority stress theory suggests that minority status leads to increased discrimination from the social environment which leads to greater stress and health problems. In the presence of poor emotion regulation skills this can lead to poor mental health. Also, the differential susceptibility hypothesis suggests that for some individuals their physical and mental development is highly dependent on their environment in a "for-better-and-for-worse" fashion. That is, individuals who are highly susceptible will have better than average health in highly supportive environments and significantly worse than average health in hostile, violent environments. The model can help explain the unique health problems affecting LGBTQ populations including increased suicide attempts. For adolescents, the most relevant environments are the family, neighborhood, and school. Adolescent bullying – which is highly prevalent among sexual minority youths – is a chronic stressor that can increase risk for suicide via the diathesis-stress model. In a 2011 study of American lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents, Mark Hatzenbuehler found that a more conservative social environment elevated risk in suicidal behavior among all youth and that this effect was stronger for LGB youth. Furthermore, he found that the social environment partially mediated the relation between LGB status and suicidal behaviour. Hatzenbuehler found that even after such social as well as individual factors were controlled for, however, that "LGB status remained a significant predictor of suicide attempts." ==Projects==

Several NGOs have started initiatives to attempt a reduction of LGBTQ youth suicides, such as The Trevor Project and the It Gets Better Project. Actions such as Ally Week, Day of Silence, and suicide intervention have helped to combat both self-harm and violence against LGBTQ people. ==Policy responses ==

Social and family support Support from family members, service providers, and communities markedly reduces depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ youth, emphasizing the need for service providers to foster communication between parents and LGBTQ adolescents. Educating family members and professionals such as teachers, counsellors, community workers, and medical staff to attend to LGBTQ youth's well-being and needs is recommended for increasing awareness and counteracting mental health challenges. Psychosocial interventions, such as educational programs focused on increasing support from peers, family, and clinicians, can reduce the risk of suicide in LGBTQ youth populations. LGBTQ friendships and activism can increase self-affirmation and make LGBTQ youth more resilient towards minority stressors, thus improving mental health and potentially reducing suicide risk. Online websites, forums, chat groups, and information services, as well as real-world support groups in schools or communities can act as hubs of support for LGBTQ youth, helping them build connections and thus reduce feelings of isolation or rejection. School-based interventions Creating safe school environments which understand the risks of being LGBTQ and allow adolescents to express their identities and report problems could be central to improving youth mental health. Education programs for service providers, including teachers, are recommended to increase sensitivity and awareness around the suicide risk of LGBTQ youth. At-school support groups may help them connect with peers and reduce social isolation. Anti-discrimination policy and interventions to mitigate and reduce bullying are considered highly important for decreasing school victimisation. ==See also==