LGBTQ teens are at significantly higher risk of suicide than straight teens. Several LGBTQ teens died by suicide in recent weeks, highlighting this issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens overall. For LGBTQ teens, risk factors include lack of family and religious acceptance, bullying, and negative portrayals in media. Prevention efforts aim to offer support networks and messages of hope to LGBTQ youth.
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LGBTQ teens are at significantly higher risk of suicide than straight teens. Several LGBTQ teens died by suicide in recent weeks, highlighting this issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens overall. For LGBTQ teens, risk factors include lack of family and religious acceptance, bullying, and negative portrayals in media. Prevention efforts aim to offer support networks and messages of hope to LGBTQ youth.
LGBTQ teens are at significantly higher risk of suicide than straight teens. Several LGBTQ teens died by suicide in recent weeks, highlighting this issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens overall. For LGBTQ teens, risk factors include lack of family and religious acceptance, bullying, and negative portrayals in media. Prevention efforts aim to offer support networks and messages of hope to LGBTQ youth.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
LGBTQ teens are at significantly higher risk of suicide than straight teens. Several LGBTQ teens died by suicide in recent weeks, highlighting this issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens overall. For LGBTQ teens, risk factors include lack of family and religious acceptance, bullying, and negative portrayals in media. Prevention efforts aim to offer support networks and messages of hope to LGBTQ youth.
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Suicide among
LGBTQ teens By Zaki Soghoian 1st Period Ms. Cossick Suicide in the LGBTQ Community
LGBTQ teens are 4 times as likely to
commit suicide then there straight counterparts Statistics show a member of the gay community will attempt suicide every five hours Billy Lucas on September 9, 2010 Age 15 Tyler Clementi on September 22, 2010 Age 18 Asher Brown on September 23, 2010 Age 13 Seth Walsh on September 28, 2010 Age 13 Raymond Chase on September 29, 2010 Age 19 These five gay teen boys have killed them selves in the last 3 weeks Teen Suicide In General The rate of suicides and suicide attempts increases tremendously during adolescence. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24- year-olds According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Teen suicide rates are surpassed only by accidents and homicide. As referenced this is 4 times more likley for LGBTQ teens. Factors That Lead to Suicide Shared by All Teens Depression or feelings of loneliness or helplessness Alcohol or drug abuse or addiction A family history of abuse, suicide, or violence Previous suicide attempts; almost half of teens who commit suicide had attempted suicide previously. A recent loss such as a death, break-up, or parents’ divorce Illness or disability Stress over school, relationships, performance expectations, etc. Fear of ridicule for getting help for problems Bullying or being the victim of bullying Exposure to other teens committing suicide, such as at school or in the media Access to firearms or other lethal objects A belief that suicide is noble Mental Illness and Sunstance Abuse 90 percent of people who attempt or commit suicide suffer from a mental illness, such as: DEPRESSION: causes a teen to feel sad, lonely, withdrawn, and unable to accomplish simple tasks. BIPOLAR DISORDER: where a teen alternates between periods of depression and mania, characterized by exuberance, insomnia, irritability, and inability to concentrate. SCHIZOPHRENIA: a complicated condition where a teen has hallucinations or distorted perceptions of reality. ALCHOHOLISM or drug addiction, especially when combined with another mental health disorder; 20 to 50 percent of suicide attempts are related to drug or alcohol use. #1 Increased Risk: Firearms
The risk of suicide
increases dramatically when kids and teens have access to guns at home Nearly 60% of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun. Gender Differences and Suicide
Suicide rates differ between
boys and girls. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys. Girls tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Boys use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights. Boys die by suicide about four times as often girls. WHY LGBTQ TEENS: RELIGION Christian, Jewish, and Islamic leaders have been silent in response to these recent tragic LGBTQ teen deaths. The second-highest-ranking Mormon leader, Boyd K. Packer, recently called same-sex attraction "impure and unnatural“. LGBT kids growing up in conservative religious homes such as Catholic, Orthodox Christian and Mormon, are repeatedly told that “they are an abomination before God”. LGBTQ teens risk excommunication from their church and sometimes homes as a result of coming out. WHY LGBTQ TEENS FAMILY: Teen feel pressure from family homophobia to be straight leading to increased depression and self-hatred. Parents often send off signals to their children that they will not accept them because they are gay,lesbian, bisexual or transgender leading to despair. A high percentage of teen runaways are LGBTQ. This is often the result of being kicked out of their homes by angry parents. WHY LGBTQ TEENS COMMUNITY BULLYING: 85% of LGBT kids are bullied in school. Bullying occurs in person, on-line, over the phone etc. “Anti-gay bullying refers to being picked on, or physically or verbally harassed, because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a form of homophobia and can affect people who are actually GLBT as well as those who are perceived to be.” LGBTQ people in the MEDIA
LGBT people are often
portrayed negatively in television, films, and other media. This is changing with a few positive role models, however coverage is still negative. For example, LGBTQ people are often portrayed as week or victims or are just used for comic relief leaving a queer youth to believe there are limited roles for him or her in society. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Another message to queer youth often highlighted
by the media that they cannot fully participate in society and are somehow wrong or less-tan their straight friends, PREVENTION SPECIFIC TO LGBTQ TEENS Numerous Prevention Efforts have been launched in response to these recent teen suicides specifically targetting LGBTQ teens. For example: The Trevor Project -focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. Give a Damn Campaign -Started by both gay and straight celebrities to get across the message that they “give a damn” about the LGBTQ community. IT GETS BETTER CAMPAIGN!
. An amazing new video
project started by Out father, writer and columnist Dan Savage in the aftermath of Tyler Clementi’s death. The videos feature upbeat statements and personal stories by adults and celebrities simply about how much more fun it is to be LGBTQ after middle and high school. THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT SUICIDE Offer Support Listen without judging Be gentle but persistent Validate Feelings Suggest therapy or help find someone they can trust and talk to if not you Help direct them to a suicide prevention website, talk-line or peer group. SOURCES http://www.teendepression.org/articles1.htm http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bishop-gene-robinson/how-religion-is -killing-o_b_764568.htmll http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/2624.html -2009 National School Climate Survey: Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT Students Experience Harassment in School w.plannedparenthood.org/teen.../lgbtq.../help-hope-lgbtq-teens- 25426.htm http://gayteens.about.com/od/school/tp/bullying_info.htm