Working to prevent suicide



LGBT people are at higher risk of suicidal behaviors because of discrimination experienced over their lifetime. Community and family acceptance play a large role in the risk factors. In our National Transgender Discrimination Survey we found that 51 percent of transgender and gender non-conforming people who were rejected by their families have attempted suicide. Thankfully, that number drops to 32 percent for those who were accepted by their families.

Given these risk factors, the Task Force is glad to see that the new national suicide prevention strategy released today on World Suicide Prevention Day, includes LGBT populations.

 As the Washington Post notes, the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention “includes community-based approaches to curbing the incidence of suicide, details new ways to identify people at risk for suicide and outlines national priorities for reducing the number of suicides over the next decade.” Download the document and get full details here.

This is also National Suicide Prevention Week. Talking About Suicide & LGBT Populations provides ways to talk about suicide more safely, while advancing vital public discussions about preventing suicide, helping increase acceptance of LGBT people, and supporting their well-being. Download the report here.

You can also get involved with The Trevor Project’s “Talk to Me” campaign. With 3 simple words – talk to me – you let a friend know that you care about them and are willing to listen without judgment. Learn more here.