Thread by @LeorSapir

The ACLU (@ACLU) and CNN (@CNN) are in direct violation of recognized, research-based protocols for how (not) to talk about suicide, especially in the LGBT population. These protocols have been endorsed not just by the CDC (@CDCgov), but by major LGBT advocacy groups. 🧵

https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/1635654015190016000

The CDC warns against "presenting simplistic explanations for suicide" because "suicide is never the result of a single factor or event, but rather results from a complex interaction of many factors & usually involves a history of psychosocial problems."

cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/m…

What could be more of a "simplistic explanation" that treats suicide as "the result of a single factor or event" than "if you pass this law, trans kids will kill themselves"?

In 2017, a guide called "Talking About Suicide and LGBT Populations" was published by major LGBT advocacy groups, including @HRC @TrevorProject @GLSEN @TrevorProject @glaad @PFLAG @TransLawCenter @lgbtmap @amprog @SageLgbt @TheTaskForce @JohnsonFamFound @afspnational

The guide makes recommendations for how to talk about suicide without inadvertently fueling suicidal behaviors.

Why is this important? Because researchers have observed suicide contagion effects when the issue is presented in an irresponsible way (e.g., pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31042568/)

The "Talking About Suicide and LGBT Populations" guide explicitly states the following:

"DON'T attribute a suicide death to a single factor
(such as bullying or discrimination) or say that a
specific anti-LGBT law or policy will 'cause' suicide.

(cont.) Suicide deaths are almost always the result of multiple overlapping causes, including mental health issues that might not have been recognized or treated. Linking suicide directly to external factors like bullying, discrimination...

(cont.) or anti-LGBT laws can normalize suicide by suggesting that it is a natural reaction to such experiences or laws. It can also increase suicide risk by leading at-risk individuals to identify with the experiences of those who have died by suicide."

In other words, the guide tracks with CDC recommendations but clarifies that saying an "anti-LGBT law" will result in suicide, or that a completed suicide is because of "anti-LGBT laws," is dangerous.

lgbtmap.org/effective-mess…

(I've downloaded it to prevent stealth revisions)

This advice accords with comments recently given to Finland's liberal newspaper of record by Dr. Riitta Kaltiala, chief psychiatrist at Tampere University pediatric gender clinic and the country's top expert in the field.

tabletmag.com/sections/scien…

Kaltiala called the suicide narrative (popular among trans activists & opponents of state restrictions on pediatric gender medicine) "purposeful disinformation." She said the use of this narrative is "irresponsible," presumably because of concerns over suicide contagion effects.

I've been pointing this out to activists & journalists for quite some time now, but some people are more invested in the suicide narrative, which they (correctly) recognize as politically potent, than in actually understanding & trying to limit suicide in vulnerable populations.

For example:

https://twitter.com/LeorSapir/status/1624134366875254784

I tagged @TransJA on this tweet, hoping that they would inform Reed and other activist-journalists on this issue. I didn't hold my breath.

This can't be said enough: Teens who identify as trans ARE at higher risk for both suicide and suicidality. But there is NO evidence that that risk is BECAUSE of "unaffirmed" gender identity OR that social/medical gender transition are the only/best way to address their distress.

Systematic reviews of evidence done in Europe and Florida examined the link between "gender affirming" hormones and suicidality. They found "very low" certainty of evidence for benefits, due to serious flaws in the studies.

cass.independent-review.uk/nice-evidence-…

Do not dismiss out of hand the higher-than-average rates of suicide/suicidality in teens who reject their bodies/sex. It's a real and serious problem, even if the "solution" offered by trans activists' is a "quick fix" that obscures actual solutions and makes things worse.

In calling out activists for putting convenient political narratives about facts and medical ethics, and ultimately above children and families, we should not resort ourselves to what the CDC calls "simplistic explanations."

Restricting gender drugs and surgeries for kids will likely not solve the deeper mental health crisis, which is ravaging Gen Z and young liberal females in particular.

thefp.com/p/why-the-ment…

This is a complicated problem with no easy solution.

*above facts and medical ethics