Recent Trevor Project Report

Report from The Trevor Project Estimates 1.8 million LGBTQ Youth Seriously Consider Suicide Each Year 

A recent report from The Trevor Project found that an estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ Youth between ages 13 and 24 seriously consider suicide in the U.S. each year (Green, Price-Feeney, & Dorison, 2019).

The Healthy People 2020 Objectives from the Department of Health and Human Services has included “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health” as a new objective for the next decade of goals and focus (Healthy People 2020, 2020). This includes addressing suicide prevention in LGBTQ youth. There is a health disparity in the number of LGBTQ youth who seriously consider suicide, as compared to their heterosexual or straight counterparts, with LGBT youth being 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide (Healthy People 2020, 2020.) 

It is important to understand these disparities in order to address them. As The Trevor Project recommends in their new report, these findings can be used to develop national prevention programs and policy changes. There are implications for research, advocacy, and practices going forward. Systematic changes need to be made to prevent suicide in these youth populations. For instance, the lack of research and available data on this very topic leads to underestimates of the problem (Green, Price-Feeney, & Dorison, 2019). Without knowing the full range of the issue, it is more difficult to address. In regard to advocacy, this report highlights the need for LGBTQ-specific policies and interventions addressing suicide prevention and crisis intervention (Green, Price-Feeney, & Dorison, 2019). LGBTQ-affirming mental health care needs to be made accessible.

Our core mission at Sean’s Legacy is to uplift LGBTQ+ youth. We want to ensure that adults surrounding LGBTQ+ youth are equipped with the proper tools to support them as they navigate adolescence.  Through the guiding principles of inclusivity, empowerment, compassion, and respect, we are working to prevent self-harm and suicide in this population. If you too are passionate about this goal, consider signing a petition below or supporting our work through volunteering. Together, we can put an end to LGBTQ+ youth suicide and provide support for them to live their best lives.

Petition: https://trans--rights.carrd.co 

Sources:

Green, A.E. , Price-Feeney, M., Dorison, S.H. (June, 2019). National Estimate of LGBTQ Youth Seriously Considering Suicide. The Trevor Project. Retrieved from https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Estimating-Number-of-LGBTQ-Youth-Who-Consider-Suicide-In-the-Past-Year-Final.pdf  

Healthy People 2020, (July 2020). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health