Rejected LGBT Persons Particularly Vulnerable to Suicide
Suicide is a growing public health crisis. There were more than 38,000 suicides in 2010 in the United States, an average of 105 daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is one suicide for every twenty-five attempted suicides.
Sobering Statistics from Family Acceptance Project
Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State, says her research shows that “common rejecting behavior such as trying to prevent LGBT youth from learning about their identity, not allowing them to have gay friends or not letting them participate in an LGBT youth group, for example, are related to a 9-times greater likelihood of attempted suicide.”
Did you know that:
- · suicide rate for gay and lesbian youth is four times greater than for heterosexuals.
- · Gays and lesbians between fifteen and twenty-four are up to three times more likely to report suicidal thoughts (ideation) and up to seven times more likely to report having attempted suicide than heterosexuals.
Suicide is Preventable!
For National Suicide Prevention Month, September, The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention hotline, has a campaign called Trevor Talk To Me.org.
The campaign makes it wise to offer help and be willing to connect a person with life-saving resources. Twenty national organizational partners representing leaders in mental health, education, suicide prevention, youth and LGBT communities are sharing the messages of Talk to Me.
The Three Steps To Take:
- · Take the pledge at Talk To Me.org.
- · Ask for free video training for your child’s school aimed at grades 6-12.
- · Contact your senator and representative so that prevention programs continue to be federally funded.
Giving a depressed LGBT person an opportunity to open up and share their troubles can help alleviate their pain and open a path to solutions.
When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know
For more detailed advice, see book, co-authored with a mother of a gay son and a psychiatrist, Jonathan L. Tobkes, M.D.
