3. Suicide Statistics Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.1 Close to 35,000 people die by suicide each year.1 678,000 adults received medical attention and 500,000 adults reported spending at least one night in the hospital for suicide attempts in 2008.2 1.1 million adults reported attempting suicide in the past year.2 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007 (retrieved 2010). 2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, 2009.
4. Suicide Statistics Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for youths and young adults in the United States.1 Over 4,000 youths and young adults die by suicide each year.1 About 1 out of every 15 high school students attempts suicide each year.2 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007 (retrieved 2010). 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010.
5. Suicide Statistics Most people who die by suicide have mental illness and/or a substance use disorder. There are other risk factors associated with suicide, including: Previous suicide attempt(s) Firearm ownership Isolation Hopelessness Impulsivity and recklessness Family discord and dysfunction
6. Suicide Ideation in LGB Youth LGB youth are 1½ to 3 times more likely to report suicide ideation than non-LGB youth. Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2008
7. Suicide Ideation in LGB Youth 31.2% of GB male high school students vs. 20.1% of heterosexual male high school students (past month)1 36.4% of LB female high school students vs. 34.3% of heterosexual female high school students (past month)1 47.3% of GB adolescent boys vs. 34.7% of non-GB adolescent boys (lifetime)2 72.9% of LB adolescent girls vs. 53% of non-LB adolescent girls (lifetime)2 1. Remafedi et al., 1998 2. Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006
8. Suicide Ideation in LGB Youth 42% of LGB youths said they sometimes or often thought of killing themselves. 48% of LGB youth said suicidal thoughts were clearly or at least somewhat related to their sexual orientation (lifetime). D’Augelli et al., 2001
9. Suicide Attempts in LGB Youth LGB youth are 1½ to 7 times more likely to have attempted suicide than non-LGB youth.1 LGB youth attempts may be more serious, based on some initial findings about: Intent to end their lives2 Lethality3 1. Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2008 2. Safren & Heimberg, 1999 3. Remafedi et al., 1991
10. Suicide Attempts in LGB Youth LGB youth were more than 2 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers (past year). 1 Bisexual and homosexual male high school students were 7 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual counterparts (lifetime).2 30% of LGB youth vs. 13% of heterosexual youth (median age of 18) had attempted suicide (lifetime).3 1. Russell & Joyner, 2001 2. Remafedi et al., 1998 3. Safren & Heimberg, 1999
11. Suicide Attempts in LGB Youth 52.4% of LB females vs. 24.8% of non-LB females and 29.0% of GB males vs. 12.6% of non-GB males had attempted suicide (lifetime). Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006
12. Suicide in LGB People LGB youth and young adults: Two psychological autopsy studies did not find a higher rate of suicide for LGB individuals.1,2 Although these two studies are important, both have methodological issues that make their conclusions questionable.3 2003 analysis of Danish data:4 Found “elevated suicide risk for homosexuals” Does not apply specifically to youth 1. Rich et al., 1986 2. Shaffer et al., 1995 3. McDaniel et al., 2001 4. Qin et al., 2003
13. Suicide in Transgender Youth Transgender youth: Limited research exists. Studies show higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Risk factors: Which ones are in common with those for LGB youth?
14. Warning Signs Thoughts & Feelings Low self-esteem, self-worth Hopelessness Preoccupation with death Depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings Loss of interest/pleasure Sad, depressed Sleep problems Appetite/weight loss or gain Worthlessness, guilt Fatigue, low energy, lethargy Inability to think, concentrate, make decisions
15. Warning Signs Communication Blatant threats Death, dying, afterlife World without the individual Reminiscing Past tense Diminished communication Instructions for others Assessing availability of means
16. Warning Signs Behaviors Giving away possessions Withdrawal Relatively sudden shift from sadness to peace, contentment, happiness Academic problems High-risk behaviors Substance use Change in appearance or personality
17. What You Can Do Personally DON’T leave the person alone try to cheer the person up try to grab weapons out of their hands
18. What You Can Do Personally DO call for help, even if it’s against the person’s wishes ask about thoughts of suicide Thoughts Motivation Plan Means take threats seriously empathize with the person keep talking to them, using a calm, sympathetic voice
19. What You Can Do Locally Promote LGBTQ cultural competence and sensitivity through student, staff, faculty, and administrator training Refer LGBTQ youth to mental health services Train peers to respond to others who may be suicidal Identify and reach out to service providers and organizations who can serve as resources, trainers, and advocates Conduct tablings, fundraisers, socials, letter-writing campaigns, meetings with influential others, support groups, etc. to raise awareness
20. Resources—National American Association of Suicidology American Foundation for Suicide Prevention GLBT National Youth Talkline National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Suicide Prevention Resource Center The Trevor Project
21. Resources—Local 232-HELP/LA 211 (Lafayette) Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center First Call for Help (Alexandria) Greater New Orleans 2-1-1 Heartbeat Monroe Suicide Prevention Helpline (Shreveport)
22. Contact Elaine M. Maccio, Ph.D., LCSW School of Social Work Louisiana State University (225) 578-1109 emaccio@lsu.edu
