Stigma, discrimination increases suicide risk in LGTBQ youths

Jun. 11—Each year, June is celebrated as Pride month, a recognition of LGBTQ culture and lives. The month is a tribute to the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which set in motion a movement of freedom and acceptance for queer people. For some, it's also a time to remember younger, more vulnerable members of the community.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24, according to the Center for Disease Control, and the rate increased when it came to young LGTBQ community members.

"Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental illness," said Nicole Hiatt-Drang, chief clinical officer at Four County, 800 N. Fulton St. "LGBTQ+ individuals can, however, face unique mental health challenges due to stigma, bias and discrimination."

Anxiety has heightened in the community as many states pass laws that deal specifically with transgender people and their families. Members and advocates of the LGBTQ community also worry same-sex marriage could be targeted next in the wake of the Roe V. Wade Supreme Court leak.

"We know anxiety and depression has increased across the board during the pandemic, roughly 25%, and I think when you add then the stigma, bias, discrimination to any community — in this case particularly the LGTBQ+ community — I think then there is a greater risk to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, among other things," Hiatt-Drang said. "For us to provide a safe place to talk about those things is of the utmost importance."

The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention among youth in the LGBTQ community, reported in their 2022 survey on LGTBQ mental health that 45% of youth had considered suicide in the last year and 14% went on to attempt it. The percentage was up 5% from the past several years, they said.

Suicidal thoughts were higher for non-white and non-Asian children.

Sixty percent of LGTBQ youth who sought mental health care were also unable to find it, the survey reported.

While there were many reasons youth were unable to or did not reach out for counseling — such as transportation to counseling and cost — fear was frequently cited in the breakdown: a general fear of mental health services, a fear of being taken seriously, a fear of being outed, a fear their gender identity won't be respected and concerns related to asking parents of caregivers for help.

Hyatt-Drang said there was no need to worry about a lot of these issues. Even with patients under the age of 18, sessions are confidential. Parents are only alerted if there is a risk of danger.

"When an adolescent comes to us, what they want to speak about is confidential unless we feel they are a danger to themself or others," she said. "At that point safety is our concern. But confidentiality is our priority."

Services provided by Four County include skills training, such as symptom management for anxiety and depression and outpatient therapy (including online sessions). They host a variety of groups including ones that focus more on issues of substance abuse or trauma.

Hiatt-Drang said parents, family, caregivers and friends should watch for certain behaviors that may indicate intent to harm oneself. These include someone openly talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself, searching for ways to commit suicide online or obtaining a gun, feeling hopeless or saying they have no reason to live, talking about being a burden to others, increased drug or alcohol use, anxiousness or behaving recklessly, sleeping too much or too little, giving possessions away, withdrawing and isolating oneself or showing extreme mood swings.

"I think the biggest thing is for parents to ask the question," she said. "I think there is a misconception that by asking the question you might give someone the idea. That's not the case. Talk about your concerns with your child and ask questions — "Are you feeling like harming yourself?", "Do you have thoughts of suicide?" There are resources in our community they can use based on the answer."

"One suicide in any community, at any age, is too many," Hiatt-Drang said. "Our goal must always be zero."

She also said there are individual and family counseling options available for parents who may struggle with acceptance when their child comes out.

Hiatt-Drang encouraged LGTBQ youth to seek out people who support them, to advocate for themselves and to know there are people who will help. She said while there is still a lot of work to do, society has come a long way in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion.

"You're not alone," she said.

In cases of emergency, call the Four County crisis line at 1-800-552-3106. Those who need help may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text IN to 741-741.

Those in need may visit any Four County location during business hours for crisis services.

More information can be found at fourcounty.org and mhai.net/

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