Sunday, September 23, 2018

Day 23 - Suicide in the LGBTQ Communities


Suicide is not just a concern, it is an epidemic within the LGBTQ community. It is imporant know the facts in order to begin to make a difference. Some of the factors that contribute to this epidemic are the impact of being part of an often stigmatized and marginalized community, as well as excessive bullying of LGBTQ youth.

Whether you consider yourself a part of this community or not, a suicide epidemic anywhere is heartbreaking and unnaceptable. We are all one human family. When it comes to suicide prevention, every community affected belongs to each and every one of us. Speak up. Make changes. Advocate. Begin now.


PREVENTING SUICIDE



FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE


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  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.
  • LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
  • LGB youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
  • Of all the suicide attempts made by youth, LGB youth suicide attempts were almost five times as likely to require medical treatment than those of heterosexual youth.
  • Suicide attempts by LGB youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.2
  • In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.
  • LGB youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGB peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
  • 1 out of 6 students nationwide (grades 9–12) seriously considered suicide in the past year.
  • Each episode of LGBT victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by 2.5 times on average.