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Suicide Risk Factors for LGBTQ+ Youth

Environmental, mental, and physical risk factors can all increase a person’s risk for suicide. Keep in mind that recognizing these factors in yourself or others does not automatically mean you are suicidal or that someone is considering suicide.

We all can recognize and reduce the risk of suicide.

Environmental, mental, and physical risk factors can all increase a person’s risk for suicide. Keep in mind that recognizing these factors in yourself or others does not automatically mean you are suicidal or that someone is considering suicide.

Recognizing Suicide Risk Factors Among LGBTQ+ Youth

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS OF SUICIDE:

  • History or signs of depression
  • History of mental illness
  • History of being abused or mistreated
  • History of self-injury
  • Tendency to be impulsive
  • Major physical illness
  • Affective disorders (i.e. mood disorders)
  • Previous suicide attempt(s)

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS FOR SUICIDE RISK:

  • Barriers to mental health services
  • Lack of community support
  • Homelessness
  • A death or relationship breakup
  • A job loss or change in financial security
  • Feeling unsafe
  • Family history of suicide
  • High stress family environment or dynamic
  • Academic or family crisis
  • Easy access to lethal materials

FACTORS YOU TAKE PART IN, EXPERIENCE OR LEARN:

  • Risky health behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, unsafe sex practices, etc.)
  • Lack of support from other youth
  • Cultural or religious beliefs that suggest suicide as a solution
  • Exposure to suicide through the media, family, friends or co-workers
  • Unwillingness to seek help
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Victimization at home or in school
  • Difficulty in school, failing grades, bullying others

How to Reduce the Risk of Suicide

There are many ways to lower someone’s risk of suicide, such as having:

  • Easy access to effective, culturally competent care
  • Support from medical and mental health care professionals
  • Coping, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
  • Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide (e.g. firearms)
  • Strong connections to family members
  • Connectedness to safe schools
  • Academic, artistic, athletic achievements
  • Nonviolent problem-solving and conflict resolution
  • Family acceptance for their sexual orientation and/or gender identity
  • A feeling of safety, support and connectivity at school through peer groups like Gay-Straight Alliances
  • Positive connections with friends who share similar interests
  • Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide
  • Positive role models and self-esteem
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