LGBTQ Teens More Likely to Contemplate Suicide at a Younger Age

Kids who are gay, bisexual or questioning their sexuality may be vulnerable to contemplating suicide at a tender age, a new U.S. government study finds.

It has long been known that teenagers who are part of sexual minorities have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, compared to their heterosexual peers. That includes kids who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning.

Experts say the new findings — published online Sept. 27 in the journal Pediatrics — add another layer: Those kids also start to grapple with suicidal thoughts at a younger age — with an increased risk appearing as early as age 10.

What’s more, they typically progressed more quickly from the “thinking” stage to actually planning for suicide.

“They are at relatively higher risk of suicidality, but the majority of LGBTQ youth do well,” Brian Mustanski, director of the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing at Northwestern University in Chicago says.

It’s important to recognize the increased risk, and that it begins early, according to Mustanski.

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Who’s at risk?

• Kids who have unsupportive parents:  Dr. Pamela Murray, from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, notes that sexual minority kids are “over-represented” among the homeless population specifically because their families rejected them.
• Kids who are bullied: School anti-bullying programs could be one important part of prevention.

Detecting suicidal behavior

Overall, 26% of sexual minority teens say they’ve thought about suicide — double the rate of their heterosexual peers. Similarly, almost 17% had made a

suicide plan, versus roughly 5% of their peers. In all, 12% had attempted suicide, compared with 5% of heterosexual students.

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It all underscores the importance of detecting suicidal behavior early, and getting kids the help they need, Dr. Pamela Murray from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School says.

Current guidelines say all teenagers should be screened for depression yearly, starting at age 12.

But depression screening does not always catch increased suicide risk, Murray adds.

“We’ve come to realize that depression does not tell the whole story, and we may need to specifically ask about suicidality,” she shares.

RELATED: 5 Signs A Loved One May Be Considering Suicide

Encouraging the LGBQ youth

In general, kids first realize their sexual attractions around the age of puberty. For kids attracted to their own sex, or both, those blooming feelings may be accompanied by distress if they have been exposed to “anti-gay” messages during childhood, Mustanski notes.

So it’s vital that children understand from a young age that those attractions are normal.

“The process of coming out is not easy for LGBTQ youth,” Jeremy Luk, lead researcher on the study says.

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But the “good news,” is that based on other research, LGBTQ teenagers who report high levels of acceptance from either their parents or

peers have a reduced risk of attempting suicide.

“In other words, acceptance goes a long way,” Luk adds.

Try supporting the mental health of an LGBTQ member through the following:

• Question your biases: It’s okay to have questions and make mistakes, but combat them by educating yourself about the LGBTQ community and finding better ways to support your loved one.
• Respect their identity: Respect how your loved one chooses to self-identify by accepting their gender pronouns, how they dress and the gender of their partners.
• DON’T OUT THEM: This step is very important. If your loved one is not openly out about their sexual orientation, it may be because they aren’t ready yet or for privacy reasons. Do not broadcast this information unless they have given you permission to do so.
• Have their back: You can be an ally by not only supporting your loved one, but by allocating on their behalf. Call out anti-LGBTQ words and actions and encourage others to get educated.

And while parents’ support is critical, so is that from the other people in kids’ lives, Mustanski shares. Support from friends and romantic partners can buoy the mental health of LGBTQ young people.

As for families, Murray points to resources like PFLAG, a national nonprofit that offers parents education on how to support their LGBTQ children.

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There are also several LGBTQ-friendly therapists, support groups and mentors available as well as LGBTQ-friendly mental health hotlines.

Acceptance plays a major part in the youth feeling comfortable with being their true selves. So if you have a loved one that is part of the LGBTQ community, let them know that you love and support them.