Suicide among young LGBTI+ people
Summary
Statistics show that LGBTI+ youth are up to seven times more likely to consider and attempt suicide compared to their cisheterosexual peers, with a particularly strong impact on trans*, non-binary, and racialized youth. This increase in suicidal ideation is linked to the pressure of cisheteronormativity and the negative social response to gender and sexual diversity, which Meyer identifies as a particular stressor for minorities. Although being LGBTI+ is not a pathology, experiences of discrimination and violence contribute to mental and physical health problems. Intervention by supportive adults and a shift in societal perceptions and treatment can improve this situation. It is important to promote positive social change, free from stigma, and with safe and supportive spaces for LGBTI+ people.
According to the Euforia Association, Trans-Allied Families , the rates of suicidal ideation and self-harm among LGBTI+ youth are significantly higher than those of the general population. Specifically, the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and attempts is up to seven times greater among LGBTI+ youth than among their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. (Euforia, 2021)
Similarly, according to a 2021 study by The Trevor Project , a US-based NGO and one of the leading suicide prevention networks for LGBTQ+ people, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth had seriously considered suicide in the past year, and one in five trans* and non-binary youth had attempted suicide. These percentages were higher among people of color and ethnic minorities, leading the NGO to emphasize the importance of an intersectional approach to this issue.
After reading this data, the first question we should ask ourselves is: Are we talking about vulnerable groups or groups that have been made vulnerable? Is the discontent due to their characteristics or to society's response?
We know that violence and insults are powerful weapons of social control, and that they are often directed at anything that deviates from the "normal." But... what is " normal " in this context? "Normal" refers to something conforming to a certain standard, and in our society, "normal" is what we call cisheteronormativity: that a person is cisgender (that is, not transgender) and heterosexual.
The likelihood of suicidal thoughts and attempts is up to seven times higher among LGBTI+ youth. We must ask ourselves: Are we talking about vulnerable groups or groups that have been made vulnerable?
This would also include matters related to gender expression (all those clichés, stereotypes, or characteristics we attribute to a gender in a given sociocultural context). Deviating from these stereotypes or mandates can generate a response of violence (correction), which is variable and linked to a historical, social, and cultural context. Likewise, societies have been described on all five continents where the existence of more than one gender is readily accepted and where trans* people can even hold prominent social positions.
Dr. Francisco Villar Cabeza
Impact on mental health and physical integrity
Being LGBTI+ is not an illness or a disorder, as confirmed by the World Health Organization by removing transsexuality from the chapter on disorders, to form part of a section called "conditions related to sexual health", in 2018 (in 1990, homosexuality had already been removed from the list), and intersexuality is considered one more possibility within a diverse sexual development.
But, unfortunately, deviating from the norm can have an impact on a person's health and physical integrity.
As the Minority Stress Model (Meyer, 2003) suggests, people belonging to sexual minorities experience a very particular kind of stress , of social origin, caused by the prejudices and discrimination of the majority group. This stress, along with experiencing rejection, facing greater challenges, secrecy, shame, stigma, and threats, can lead to mental health problems (anxiety, addictions, stress, hopelessness, etc.), as well as physical ailments (not to mention internalized homophobia and transphobia).
Let us remember that we are talking about people who, due to age and context, have two particular characteristics:
- The young person lacks autonomy and tools to fully manage the situation and requires the intervention of allied adult figures.
- Sometimes, the young person has alerted authorities to the situation (sometimes repeatedly) without any protective or restorative action being taken.
A social and perspective change is possible
To address these alarming figures, should we focus solely on the individual or also on a societal shift and a change in perspective ? If society responded differently to sexual diversity, if we allocated more resources to the prevention and treatment of domestic violence, if we destigmatized LGBTI+ realities, would LGBTI+ people want to end their suffering and their lives?
Perhaps LGBTI+ people would not want to end their suffering and their lives if society responded differently to sexual diversity.
Despite what has been said, we know that many young LGBTI+ people are fortunately born and raised in safe environments, surrounded by unconditional love, free expression, and exploration, and that they primarily experience the challenges inherent to their stage of life. They also enjoy success and social recognition. Furthermore, there are schools that address and celebrate diversity in excellent ways, and there are increasingly more places where respect and protection for LGBTI+ realities have been established .
Making these stories visible so that they can also serve as role models is very important.
What can we do?
If we are family or an adult role model for an LGBTI+ person:
- Show unconditional love and support.
- Create safe spaces and communication.
- Become part of their inner circle.
As part of society:
- Support initiatives that promote social change.
- To create and promote spaces for care and support for LGBTI+ people… but also for mutual support.
- Report homophobic situations.
- Promote measures that encourage access to educational and employment opportunities (including residential) for LGBTI+ people in particularly vulnerable situations or at greater risk of social exclusion.
- Not speaking for LGBTI+ people and giving them a voice to focus the attention on them.
The media also have a responsibility in this change of perspective, promoting the visibility of LGBTI+ realities from a positive perspective, free of stigma, and not only as vulnerable figures or recipients of violence.
Although we have made progress in many areas as a society, there are still important—and urgent—challenges to overcome. We shouldn't make excuses, but rather find solutions. Let's do it.
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