New Leaf Counseling Group, LLC - Charlotte, NC
We got published in Charlotte's most established LGBTQ+ publication, QNotes! Check out the original article here!
Recent attention has increasingly been drawn to the rapidly escalating rates in suicide attempts or suicide completion by adolescents nationwide. What has often been under-reported or used as a footnote, however, is the unique vulnerability of the LGBTQ+ community of adolescents and teens to both suicide attempts and completions, as well as self-harm.
While there are positive indicators of change, significant modifications are needed in the way that we protect, support and provide healthy outlets for LGBTQ+ youth in our community.
The LGBTQ+ youth community has been shown consistently to have higher rates of self-injury, suicide attempts and suicide completions. One study found that non-cisgendered youth were two to seven times more likely to have suicide attempts compared to their cisgendered counterparts. The “2019 North Carolina Child Health Report Card,” published by NC Child and the NC Institute of Medicine, showed gay, lesbian and bisexual students were three times as likely to attempt suicide as their straight-identifying peers.
Another concern facing LGBTQ+ youth is the practice of self-harm. Roughly 18 percent of the overall adolescent population report actively participating in self-harm. LGBTQ+ youth, however, are almost six times as likely to engage in self-harm.
While mental health professionals generally distinguish between self-harm and suicide attempts, self-harm is a sign of deep emotional pain and, in LGBTQ+ youth, one researcher has suggested that rates of self-harm might be elevated due to concerns about societal rejection and lack of emotional regulation.
What we don’t know or have solid data about is the rates of risk for LGBTQ+ youth who are bisexual, transgender, identify as any other more gender-expansive term or who are also persons of color.
Studies and surveys have not focused on the wider range of sexual orientations beyond the traditional gay/straight to isolate bisexuality or other identifications. Similarly, it is known that rates of depression and suicide are exponentially higher in persons of color when examined generally, but we do not know how people of color who also identify within the LGBTQ+ community might affect these rates.
What statistics can’t show, will never show, however, is the individual person. The teenager reading this article. The LGBTQ+ adolescents and teenagers I work with as a mental health therapist. They will always be specific, and their needs unique. If you are someone who has suicidal thoughts, or loves someone who does, there are ways to help.
Be aware of warning signs, which you can learn by following some of the links in the resource list below. Ask the person directly if he/she/they are suicidal. Use the word “suicide,” and use it calmly.
Contrary to many fears, saying “suicide” doesn’t make someone more likely to commit suicide: it opens up dialogue and lets them know you are with them and okay with what they say. Listen. Don’t offer advice. Your job is to be with them and hold space. Know when you are in over your head and get professional help. Start with a trusted adult. Start with a help line.
If you’re suicidal and wondering how you are going to continue to get through this day, much less the next, know that there are a lot of us: therapists, teachers, coaches, positive adults who accept you and your gender orientation and sexual orientation no matter what and who want to hear your story.
Our job isn’t to fix you or your life: you’re not broken. Our job is to listen to what you have to say and provide companionship when it seems very dark and lonely, and to help you look for guard rails that might keep you from acting on your thoughts.
You see, the world is still waiting for your gifts, and it’s my job, the job of this entire community, to provide support and acceptance so that you can thrive. You can absolutely get better.
If you’re a member of the community, wondering how to help, LGBTQ+ youth surveyed by the Human Rights Campaign in 2012 identified absences of support in their families, religious leaders and places of worship, elected leaders, state and local government, movies/tv/radio and community leaders.
They were more likely to report bullying or physical victimization in their schools and were twice as likely to describe alienation from their peers. Many reported not having any supportive adult to go to with problems.
I would personally add to this list that medical professionals, from primary care doctors to mental health therapists, need significant additional LGBTQ-specific training to increase their comfort and knowledge in working with sexual minority youth. Go out and find a place to make a difference somewhere in that list.
There’s work and hope for all of us.
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Resources:
SAVE — Warning Signs of Suicide
save.org.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline — LGBTQ Suicide Factors
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
The Trevor Project thetrevorproject.org
It Gets Better itgetsbetter.org/get-help
Suicide Prevention Resource Center sprc.org.
Family Acceptance Project familyproject.sfsu.edu
Atrium Health Behavioral Health Help Line 704-444-2400
National Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255
Time Out Youth Center, Charlotte timeoutyouth.org
Websites
New Leaf Counseling Group is a counseling practice in Charlotte, NC with a diverse team of processional therapists and counselors to meet the needs of clients in the Charlotte area. All professional therapists and counselors with New Leaf Counseling Group, LLC are LGBTQ+ affirming, as well as offer treatment options for individuals who are struggling with acute symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. A few of the clinicians on our team also provide care for clients in the Charlotte area, who struggle with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Feel free to call their office directly for an initial consultation at (704) 774-3078, or even book an appointment online today.