CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Populations

The GLBT community has risk factors related to sexual preference and sexual identity issues that make them particularly vulnerable to suicide. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that several state and national studies have reported that high school students who report to be homosexually and bisexually active have higher rates of suicide thoughts and attempts compared to other students. ref

However, there is still debate about how to measure sexual orientation and suicide attempts. (There are no reliable statistics regarding completed suicides because sexual orientation is not a question on death certificates.)

Across the United States, there are more and more organizations dedicated to the physical and/or mental health needs of the GLBT population. Many urban areas have suicide prevention programs that exist within larger organizations serving the GLBT community.

In contrast to some other communities, the GLBT community has been much more open to discussing suicide risks, thus greatly reducing the stigma typically attached to the subject of suicide. However, there are a number of other risks, including prejudice, isolation, and victimization. The internalization of oppression and the barrage of negativity experienced by many GLBT people can lead to greatly increased risk for suicide and substance abuse.

One initiative devoted to helping GLBT youth reduce their risks for suicide is The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a video-based educational program for the classroom, which includes thought-provoking questions to stimulate discussion among gays and non-gays alike. Questions attempt to get to the heart of how anyone, particularly a teen, could develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The program includes questions, such as:

• How do youth make sense of feelings they don't understand or have never had before?
• Why do people sometimes feel threatened by others who seem different from themselves?
• How does one cope emotionally with the experience of feeling different from one's peers?
• How can teachers, parents, and friends recognize the warning signs that young people send when they need help? What can they do to help a suicidal student or friend?
• Where do young people turn when they are being singled out for being different by friends and/or family?

The project features tips for teachers, learning activities, strategies for large and small group discussion, and additional discussion questions.

A compendium of Internet-based resources dealing with youth suicide in the gay and bisexual populations is available through Youth-Suicide.com. This Web site provides an extensive listing of newspaper and journal articles, people, and organizations who can assist in reducing gay and bisexual suicide. The Web site has an international perspective and includes information from nationalities and countries where GLBT suicidal behaviors have been researched.

Befrienders International, which is part of Samaritans and the National Council on Suicide Prevention, focuses on the GLBT community and offers information on programs and resources.