LGBT SUICIDE 1
Suicide by LGBT Youths
This action plan will address the ways through which the rates of suicide in LGBT youths can be decreased.
Moran, 2011, states that: “gay adolescents are three times as likely to report a history of suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, or suicidal attempts that require medical attention than are their straight peers.” Pittman, 2011, goes further and states that: “suicide attempts were more common in LGB teens who reported being depressed and binge drinking, as well as those who had been victimized by their peers or physically abused by an adult.”
Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006, provide a list of some of the risk factors which may account for the high rate of suicides among the LGBT youths: depression, substance abuse, family conflict, ostracism at school and homophobia. However, the fact that a high majority of these youths end up having a happy, productive life may be due to the presence of some ‘resiliency factors’ which end up counteracting the risk factors. These include: family connectedness and acceptance, teacher caring, other adult caring and school safety.
The unconditional acceptance and support of family members, friends and members of their community act as a type of protective barrier for the LGBT youths. The fact that they are able to openly discuss their fears and/or any problems they may have, can lower the stress they feel and thus decrease the amount of negative and suicidal thoughts they may have. Moreover, the open acceptance helps impede any rampant discrimination and homophobia.
Schools should encourage acceptance through setting up of gay-straight alliances and policies discouraging homophobia. These would foster feelings of safety for the youths and decrease stresses related to bullying.
References
Eisenberg, M. & Resnick, M. (2006). Suicidality among Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth: The Role of Protective Factors. Journal Of Adolescent Health, 39(5), 662-668. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.04.024
Hatzenbuehler, M. & Keyes, K. (2013). Inclusive Anti-bullying Policies and Reduced Risk of Suicide Attempts in Lesbian and Gay Youth. Journal Of Adolescent Health, 53(1), S21-S26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.08.010
Husted, K. (2012). Family Counts When Protecting Gay Youth From Suicide. NPR.org. Retrieved 25 October 2016, from http://www.npr.org/sections/health- shots/2012/02/13/146831239/family-acceptance-key-in-preventing-gay-youths-from- considering-suicide
LGBT Youth | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health | CDC. (2014). Cdc.gov. Retrieved 25 October 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm
Moran, M. (2011). Data Sound Alarm on Gay Teens’ Heightened Suicide Risk. Psychiatric News, 46(9), 9-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/pn.46.9.psychnews_46_9_9_2
Pittman, G. (2011). Social environment linked to gay teen suicide risk. Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2016, from http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gay-teen-suicide- idUSTRE73H1GV20110418