Family Support Helps Prevent Suicide Among Gay Youth, Study Says

A good support system might be the key to helping deter suicide among gay youth, a new study suggests.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, evaluated risk factors associated with self harm and suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adolescents between ages 16 and 20.

Support from family and friends often acted as an effective preventive factor against inflicting self-harm and suicide among the population.

Adolescents who felt victimized and didn't have a trusted support network were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and inflict harm, the research suggests.

About 94 percent of LGBT youth have experienced some form of victimization, whether it be name-calling or threats, according to a Northwestern University press release.

The study emphasizes the importance of enhancing the availability of support groups for LGBT youth. In addition, it highlights society's responsibility to increase acceptance and reduce the negative stigma sometimes associated with being gay, bisexual or transgender.

Chicago Tribune columnist Dawn Turner Trice observes that parents of LGBT youth may often not know how to deal with issues and societal pressures their children might face.

But researcher and clinical psychologist Brian Mustanski suggests parents should express support instead of judgment to news of their child's sexuality, according to the Northwestern University media release. The conversation may set the tone for an open, trusting relationship.

Mustanski suggests a response like: “You are still the same child as you were before you told me, and I love you just the same.”

But an effective support system is a two-way relationship.

"...What LGBT youth share helps parents act as a resource for their kids," Mustanski told the Chicago Tribune.

The study followed 246 Chicago-area LGBT youth from 2007 through 2011. The findings were published on Feb. 14 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[iLdoRight]

10:08 PM on 02/17/2012

People with good morals to emulate.

[transteen123]

01:42 PM on 02/17/2012

I'm the younger of two children in my family. My brother calls me Nathan. My parents, the same. That's not my name. It never will be.
I came out to my mother as transgender last summer to a mixed reception. She never talked about it. Nobody did. I was afraid. Months later, I finally started making progress. A few weeks ago, I discovered a nearby LGBT Center and talked to her about it. She took me just the other day and is planning to take me again next week. She doesn't necessarily support me, but she's allowing me some freedom. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to tell my father and brother. And hopefully, they'll still care. Every day, it seems, I find myself facing criticism and hate. But that'll change soon. I just know it.
My name isn't important. My story is what matters.

[Bob Kellerman]

04:03 PM on 02/17/2012

I feel for you -- remember this is about the entire rest of your life.

Please take everyday hurdles as small bumps in a long road

[HellBank]

08:17 AM on 02/17/2012

Suicide is never the right choice; never hurt yourself when it's others that are hurting you.

[justbeingshelzz]

09:25 PM on 02/16/2012

In my opinion it's hard for me alone because I feel like I'm keeping a secret from my mom. Its hard feeling like no one understands. My family makes me feel awkward when they talk about gay people because its like if I tell my family will they still think the same of me. I wouldn't consider doing suicide because you know what there's a bunch of people out there who except me for me so it doesnt matter to me.

[Bob Kellerman]

04:05 PM on 02/17/2012

If you need to tell them, you need to tell them

They may not think "the same of you", but if they think less, it is their problem to get over

And loving you while having trouble getting used to it may be just what they do

[DevonTexas]

03:06 PM on 02/16/2012

"But researcher and clinical psychologist Brian Mustanski suggests parents should express support instead of judgment to news of their child's sexuality, according to the Northwestern University media release. The conversation may set the tone for an open, trusting relationship."

Good point. If you can discuss sexual orientation with your child, you can probably talk about anything. I really feel bad for kids that don't have an open, trusting relationship with their parents and I love that my son will talk to me about anything.... no matter how much it might embarrass me! LOL

[Leander Robinson]

12:51 PM on 02/16/2012

I understand it's hard for a parent to wrap their head around their child being gay but some was raised so far back in time they have trouble understanding how it is to be gay but we need to educate them and sociaty about our life so they will stop thinking that we are sexual freaks. Then they will be able to offer more support for their LGBTQ children and we need to offer advice to any young gay from our point of veiw in our own community. Then youth suicide will cut in half at least.

[HermaO]

05:03 AM on 02/16/2012

I had the chance to grow up in a very open minded family. My parents' best friends are all gay, and I was raised seeing them at least once a week when they came to have dinner, and on vacations where they would always join us. My grand parents (on my mother's side) adored them and it took me a long time to get why my other grandmother didn't like my father's best friend.
With that exemple, I knew even before I was ever attracted to girls that it would be a no-brainer for my parents and grand-parents. I never actually came out to them, they knew I was getting close to another girl. Once my father and his best friend saw us kiss in front of my parent's door and just asked if she was coming to dinner.
Nothing was actually said, but

[Mindy Czech]

02:01 AM on 02/16/2012

Even though my family has never been anything but kind to my lesbian aunt and her partner, I was still very nervous in coming out to them. Kept it in for years, even. I eventually got the guts to tell everyone once I was with my wife, and everything just went so well. Everyone loved her and accepted her off the bat, and I sometimes think that they even like her more than they like me. Familial support was very important. While I wouldn't have left Cindy if I had a harsh reaction from family, due to her being the love of my life, I certainly would have been devastated. I'm one of the lucky ones, I guess. I have the most gorgeous and perfect wife in the world, and a family that doesn't see her as anything other than my wife. To them, we are Mrs. Mindy and Cindy McIndy.

[Atwill]

10:17 PM on 02/15/2012

This is a great message. but most of the time it is the family and parents who are the worst bullies and most homophobic.

[anibeats]

10:04 PM on 02/15/2012

Did they run out of ideas? Who's the genius that wasted time, and money figuring out what can only be described as COMMON SENSE?

[DevonTexas]

03:10 PM on 02/16/2012

sometimes homophobes need a landslide of sense before it's perceived as "common". so, money well spent.

[anibeats]

08:03 PM on 02/16/2012

You forget that most of them don't believe in science anyway...

[jungsbodyguard]

09:52 PM on 02/15/2012

Obvious study is obvious.

[lovingthismoment50]

09:38 PM on 02/15/2012

My Christian, conservative parents were in a state of shock for days after I told them.

My dad let me know right away that he "was the biggest homophobe I would ever meet."

I definately felt like I wasn't wanted.

Both of them have changed their tunes, however. They are now fully supportive, and both of them are quite fond of saying that they want some gay friends.

All it took was some constant questioning like, "Do you honestly think I chose to be gay?" and "How am I a different kid, now that I've told you the truth?".

Logic finally hit them!

I know i'm one of the lucky ones, and my entire heart goes out to every kid who has to endure a non-supportive environment at home. Those kids turn out to be some of the biggest heroes in the quest for full equality.

[f0rTyLeGz]

10:11 PM on 02/15/2012

Those Christians that believe you choose to be gay crack me up. I always ask them to choose to be gay for just on minute. When they refuse I ask them to choose to like something they don't like... if they dont like over weight women... I say, "Just choose to like them for a minute, and then choose back." They NEVER do it.

[Atwill]

10:18 PM on 02/15/2012

amazing. so glad you were about to teach them.

[Zippy1169]

07:45 PM on 02/15/2012

If you have child you owe it to say to your child whether you think them gay or not these word.

You know, #####, if you or any of your friends are gay I could care less. You or they would always be welcomed and loved by me. I just want you to know that.

Guess what if your kid isn't gay they will think OK. Cool, I have great parents. If they are homophobe they will learn you are not and may think hmmm maybe i need to rethink this. And if they are gay they may tell you but at a minimum they will put it in the back of their mind and be much less afraid of their future.

It's not hard to do. Try it.

[dws51564]

07:11 PM on 02/15/2012

The more support the better until American's get their act together and treat all their citizen with respect, dignity, and equality.

[mattwilliams512]

05:21 PM on 02/15/2012

Isn't this article kind of a no-brainer?

[Blaze Burton]

09:09 PM on 02/15/2012

tell it to homophobes

[lovingthismoment50]

09:31 PM on 02/15/2012

Yeah... my thoughts exactly.

I was thinking "duh..." the whole time.

[mattwilliams512]

12:12 AM on 02/16/2012

Yeah, but at the same time, parents do need to be aware.