Suicide in the LGBTQ+ community is a hard but necessary topic to talk about. The heartbreaking truth of suicidal statistics of those in the community speaks for themselves. Someone in the LGBTQ+ tries to commit suicide every 45 seconds.

The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention hotline for the LGBTQ+ community. The researchers from The Trevor Project clarify that “LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.” 

To reiterate, people in the community don’t commit suicide or self-harm because of their identity or sexual orientation but because of how they are treated by others and the shame they are made to feel. 

Now visualize this, (or maybe this is simply your reality): You are a teenager in the LGBTQ+ community with an unsupportive family and endure endless bullying (seen or unseen), constantly hearing homophobic phrases in the halls, and experiencing dismissal from peers for being “different”. The people in your life disappoint you until you can’t handle it anymore. These outside factors and so many more are why LGBTQ+ youth are more than 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their classmates. 

73% of people in this community have said they have faced some sort of discrimination at least once in their life.

It’s distressing. The stigmatization and bullying need to stop. People driving others to suicide based on who they like or who they are is not talked about enough.

The first step to break through the stigma is to talk about it. It’s time to start supporting our LGBTQ+ youth instead of banishing them. 

If I can offer any sort of advice for people who are struggling with these thoughts and feelings is talk to someone. As difficult and scary as it may be but having support is so helpful and will only benefit you. Talk to your guidance counselors and take 5 minutes in the morning to just breathe and trust in the people around you.

Sources:

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/