LGBTQ Youth and Suicide
Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) alone does not put a young person at higher risk for suicide. Discrimination, rejection, fear, and harassment that may come with being LGBTQ in an unsupportive environment are what increase the risk.
We want young LGBTQ people to know they are not alone, and the adults in their lives to know when and how to best support them.
Risk Factors
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds in NYC. When young people die by suicide, it can be hard to understand. We are often left wondering what happened or what adults could have done to help. We sometimes forget how hard adolescence is and do not always know whether a young person is experiencing a crisis or simply going through typical changes.
Suicide is associated with factors such as previous suicide attempts, suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide), feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and symptoms of depression. Some youth may be at higher risk due to the specific stressors they face, such as discrimination. LGBTQ youth, many of whom experience discrimination due to their orientation and/or identity, are at higher risk of experiencing suicidal risk factors.
- In 2021, transgender high school students (71%) and those who were not sure if they are transgender (75%) were more likely than non-transgender students (37%) to report feeling sad or hopeless.
- Similarly, compared with heterosexual students (32%), those that identified as bisexual (63%), gay or lesbian (59%), or some other way (63%) were more likely to report feeling sad or hopeless.
- Transgender high school students (30%*) and those who were not sure if they are transgender (17%) were more likely than non-transgender students (8%) to report attempting suicide at least once in the past 12 months.
- Those that described their sexual orientation as bisexual (19%), gay or lesbian (25%*), or some other way (17%) were more likely than heterosexual students (6%) to report attempting suicide in the past 12 months.
For more data, see Suicide-related factors among New York City Public High School Students (PDF).
What You Can Do to Help
Suicide is preventable and supportive adults play critical roles in the lives of young people at risk for suicide. Learn the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, along with the specific protective factors that keep young LGBTQ people safe.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
It is important to tell your child you are concerned and want to help, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Some organizations that offer information and guidance around suicide prevention and supporting LGBTQ youth include:
- Youth suicide warning signs
- The Trevor Project: Crisis intervention and suicide prevention support for LGBTQ youth and their loved ones
- TransYouth Family Allies: Guidance and support for transgender youth, their families and communities
- PFLAG NYC: Peer-to-peer support for parents, families and friends of LGBTQ people
- The Jed Foundation: What to know about suicide
- The Center: Local, comprehensive community center for NYC LGBTQ youth and their families; Visit in person or online.
- Not sure what to do? Call 988 for immediate, free, and confidential support.
Prevention Training Opportunities for Professionals
- Recommendations for Training and Education on LGTBQ Issues (PDF)
- Hetrick-Martin Institute
- Harm Reduction Coalition Training Institute
- The Trevor Project Trainings for Professionals
- Sage Care
- Issues Impacting LGBTQ Youth and How to Help: