LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Queer individuals face higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicide — not because of who we are, but because of the stigma, discrimination and rejection we endure.
Facing unique challenges such as these takes a considerable toll on an individual’s mental health. From childhood to adulthood, many queer individuals navigate hostility in families, schools, workplaces and healthcare systems that weren’t built with us in mind.
Sexual- and gender-diverse folks constantly have to weigh the risks of being ourselves; of holding someone’s hand; of speaking freely; of dressing how we want’ or of loving openly. As a queer individual who grew up in religious settings, I know this pressure and chronic stress well. We navigate a world where acceptance is never guaranteed.
The current public health crisis with suicide severely and disproportionately affects sexual- and gender-diverse individuals. We must address this with research-backed methods. We must affirm support and work with trained professionals.
Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among adolescents. But for LGBTQ+ youth, the compounded risk results in much higher suicide rates. In my work as a crisis counselor for 988, the national suicide and crisis line, I witness these risk factors firsthand. Transgender callers describe experiences with parents who refuse to use the right name, denial of gender-affirming care, fear of hostile laws and concerns about the current political climate.
It is their experiences of social isolation and concealment of their true identity that drive them to call.
Transgender and gender-diverse folks are especially vulnerable to suicide. The U.S. Transgender Survey is a study conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality. Data from the survey indicate that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide. This attempt rate is nearly nine times greater than the general U.S. population attempt rate of 4.6%. The mistreatment and stigma that transgender and gender-diverse folks face is why they experience heightened vulnerability and risk, not because of their identity. This is further evidence why it is necessary that intervention for suicide prevention be responsive and affirmative for gender expansive folks.
Understanding these risk factors is especially important for psychologists, therapists, school counselors, nurses and teachers who work directly with youth. Training these personnel to recognize signs and intervene in effective and affirmative ways could prevent suicide attempts and fundamentally change the trajectory of an individual’s life.
This is something that I am especially passionate about; I grew up watching my queer friends struggle with internalized homophobia, suicidality and related mental health challenges. Now, as a student of psychology and global and community health, I witness how effective these protective factors are in my research on social determinants of health and suicidality for sexual and gender diversity populations. Beyond that, I have also observed that translating research into workshops for the public to inform education on suicide prevention is very powerful. Post surveys indicate that this is new, genuinely helpful material for clinicians and members of the public.
The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. It is clear that this is a public health crisis hidden in plain sight by lack of awareness and adequate allocation of resources.
Public awareness of this topic is critical in order to evaluate what types of supportive strategies must be part of education and public health planning. Fighting stigma and increasing access to affirming support can mean the difference between struggle and survival, between surviving and truly thriving.
I know this crisis is real because I answer those calls. These folks are not just statistics, they are real people who deserve affirming, intersectional care that honors the diversity of sexual and gender experience and expression. Together, we can achieve this. Together, we can prevent suicide.
Eva Hellmold, of Novato, is an interdisciplinary researcher and mental health advocate. The 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis hotline is 988, or text “MARIN” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.