Suicides among LGBTQ+ youth becomes a growing concern now

 

 

It may be hard to believe, but suicide is tragically common among the LGBTQ+ community. A large number of LGBTQ+ teens commit suicide due to peer bullying both online and offline. LGBTQ+ people, particularly those in their teens, have higher rates of mental ill-health and suicide than the general population.

Studies show that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. In transgender communities, those rates are even higher, with 43% of transgender people having attempted suicide in their lifetime. Globally, LGBTQ+ young people continue to suffer from higher health and suicide risks than their peers.

Most researchers, psychologists, and mental health practitioners agree that youth identifying as a sexual minority are exposed to a higher number of risk factors than their heterosexual counterparts. Sexual minority youth also face several unique risk factors for suicidal ideation and completed suicide.

Meanwhile, nonbinary and transgender family rejection statistics are particularly striking: a 2023 survey found that less than 40 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth say they live in a gender-affirming home. The high suicide rate among LGBTQ+ youngsters hurts their fight for equality.

Why are LGBTQ+ teens at risk?

Factors contributing to the high suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth include minority stress, body image anxiety, low family satisfaction, cyberbullying victimization, mistreatment and stigmatization in our society, sexual violence at schools and other institutions, religious beliefs, and unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma and unmet medical needs or other intersecting identities. Additionally, youth from sexual minorities are also more likely to have mental health disparities, psychiatric diagnoses, prior suicidality, and family problems contributing to their deaths.

Queer kids, especially during middle and high school, are more vulnerable to bullying. Violence, both physical and sexual, is common not just by peers but also by the teachers in whose care the students are. The cascading effects on the emotional, mental, and physical health of the children are enormous, and in some cases, we lose them to suicide.

In some settings, LGBTQ+ youth may not have access to inclusive policies or supportive resources. This can include inadequate sex education that fails to address LGBTQ+ topics, limited access to LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare, or a lack of support in schools or community organizations. The absence of inclusive policies and support systems can contribute to a sense of invisibility and erasure, exacerbating feelings of isolation and distress and sometimes even leading to suicides.

In these circumstances, they become victims of substance abuse. Statistics on substance abuse in LGBTQ youth show that they use alcohol and drugs at higher rates than their straight, cisgender peers. This is not surprising, given that substance abuse is typically a behavioral symptom of underlying depression, trauma, and anxiety.

The Trevor Project (The Trevor Project is a lifeline for LGBTQ youth who face suicidal thoughts or crisis situations0 found that 47 percent of LGBTQ youth under age 21 use alcohol. Moreover, 29 percent of LGBTQ youth use marijuana. And 11 percent report using a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them.

Status of LGBTQ+ teens suicide in India,

In India, there have been several cases of suicide among the LGBTQ+ community due to homophobia and bullying. One such case was that of Avinshu Patel, a 19-year-old boy from Mumbai who committed suicide in Chennai after being ridiculed for being homosexual. He posted on Facebook before taking his life, “Everyone knows I am a boy. But the way I walk, think and talk is like a girl. People in India do not like that.” Another case was that of Priyanshu Yadav, a 16-year-old queer beauty and makeup influencer from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, who died by suicide after being trolled by social media users for wearing a saree on Diwali.

A study published in 2009 compared gay, lesbian, and bisexual young adults who experienced strong rejection from their families. They were eight times more likely to have tried to commit suicide, six times more likely to report high levels of depression, and three times more likely to use illegal drugs.

According to official data, the number of LGBT youngsters who committed suicide in the last six months is seven, but unofficially the number is much higher. Unfortunately, such cases are increasing in our cities despite growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. However, these incidents have not gathered much attention apart from reported news in their respective portals. There is a lack of research and data on this aspect.

In 2018, a survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in India found that LGBTQ+ individuals had a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The survey indicated that around 36% of LGBTQ+ individuals had attempted suicide at some point in their lives. However, it's important to note that this data does not specifically focus on LGBTQ+ teens.

Research on mental health and suicidal intent among LGBTQ+ adolescents is gradually increasing, but more comprehensive studies are still needed to better understand the specific challenges they face and design targeted interventions. Collecting accurate data on suicide rates among LGBTQ+ teens is crucial to inform policies and interventions.

It’s important to remember that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional. You can also contact the Sneha Foundation at 91-44-24640050 or The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 for support 21.