Thread by @KristopherWells

USA: Research indicates one quarter of 12-14 year olds who died by suicide were LGBT, which is very alarming.

Suicide disparity was shown to be greater for LGBT youth at younger ages.

What can we do to reduce risk?
#LGBTQ #Youth #Suicide #Prevention

LGBT youth who died by suicide were more likely to have mental health concerns, prior suicidality, and family problems contributing to their death.

These risk factors are often related to minority stress, which show how homophobia & transphobia create hostile environments.

Lack of social support can increase LGBT youth feeling that others do not care about them.

Homophobic & transphobic victimization can make LGBT youth feel like a burden to those around them.

Experiences of victimization also contribute to a syndemic of depression, substance use, and risky sex which is correlated with suicide attempts.

A key focus should be on improving attachment, connectedness, & belongingness.

Schools and GSAs are key sites for a intervention and prevention efforts.

Recommendations:
- Focus supports on LGBT youth who come out early in life

- Help families learn to support their LGBT children

- Online & app based interventions may be helpful, particularly for rural LGBT youth

- Bisexual female youth should be assessed for the degree of support they feel from LGBT communities

- Many LGBT youth were already receiving some form of clinical attention when they died. This suggests that more may be needed than “just getting them the help they need.”

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