Suicide Risk Rife in Sexual Minority Teens

According to an analysis of data from the 2015 National Youth Risk Behaviors Survey, adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or as being unsure of their sexual orientation ― individuals whom the investigators identify as "questioning" ― are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and actions.

Athough sexual minority adolescents are thought to be at elevated risk for suicide, studies supporting this claim have rarely used nationally representative samples, which is a major limitation, the authors note. In addition, most studies have "ignored" the diversity among sexual minorities, assuming all share the same risks.

In the past year, 40% of sexual minority adolescents said they had seriously considered suicide, 35% said they had planned suicide, and 25% said they had attempted suicide. These numbers are far greater than those of their heterosexual peers, of whom 15% said they had seriously considered suicide, 12% said they had planned suicide, and 6% said they had attempted suicide in the prior year.

Dr Ryan, who has worked in LGBT healthcare and mental health care for nearly 40 years, said everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide.
"There is a myth that seems to be pervasive that if you ask a young person about suicide, you are giving them that idea for the first time, and that's not the case at all. It's really kind of horrifying to think that providers wouldn't ask an adolescent if they feel like hurting themselves or if they ever tried to hurt themselves or if they ever thought of taking their life," said Dr Ryan.