Gay, lesbian, bisexual teens at higher risk for suicide
“Sexual minority teens might have been at increased risk because they experienced verbal harassment, physical bullying or felt unsafe at school.”
Interviews with nearly 16,000 teens across the nation suggest that gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning (LGBQ) teens are more than three times likely to consider suicide than their heterosexual peers. In fact, the study reveals, one in four had attempted suicide in the previous year.
About 11% of the participants described themselves as LGBQ.
“We must recognize LGBQ teen suicide is a national public health crisis and bring extraordinary resources to bear to address the crisis,” senior study author John Ayers, a researcher at San Diego State University told Reuters.
