Subject: Lesgay teen suicide info & biblio / April 1996 From: Chris Ambidge Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 07:09:44 -0400 Tina: here it is. Some of the material actally comes from QRD, but it's here collated in a single package. The new material is either mine or I was given permission to reproduce. take care Chris ===== Material collected with information on lesbigay teen suicide through the participation of readers of can.motss and soc.motss April 1996 specifically Canadian material at the beginning and the end. ================begin file========== [from a worker at Metro Toront Childrens Aid Society, posting to can.motss:] The seminal source for information about lesbigay youth suicide is: Gibson, P. (1989). "Gay male and lesbian youth suicide." In M.R.Feinleib (ed.), "Report of the Secretary's task force on youth suicide." Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, 3: 110-142. (More recent research has been done by Gary Remefedi and Rich Savin-Williams.) In a nutshell, the following is how I have summarized Gibson's work in a 1995 Children's Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto report I authored entitled: "We are your children too: accessible child welfare services for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth": "In order to cope with their feelings of being different and wrong, lesbian gay and bisexual youth develop specific strategies to survive in a world that is not only largely hostile towards them but also often dangerous. "Only three choices are available to them: they can hide their identities in an attempt to create a public persona that appears heterosexual; they can deny their growing awareness of attraction to members of the same sex and attempt to prove to themselves or others that they are heterosexual; or they can come out and begin the process of incorporating a positive sexual identity into their sense of self. "For many young people, the process of developing an integrated and positve identity as a lesbian, gay or bisexual person involves all three choices and the associated risks at different times. These risks are: "1. Family disruption, rejection and abuse 2. School failure and peer rejection 3. Homelessness and street involvement 4. Pregnancy 5. Sexual exploitation 6. HIV/AIDS [all the above themes are further developed, but I'm omitting the detail here] "7. Isolation, withdrawal, depression and suicide: "The very strategies that lesbian, gay and bisexual young people use to survive can increase their vulnerability to depression and other mental health problems. Unable to talk openly to their families, teachers or friends, they may become increasingly isolated and socially withdrawn. They are frequently chronically depressed, in danger of self-harming behaviours such as alcohol and substance abuse to numb their pain and at high risk of attempting suicide when the pressure becomes too much to bear. Indeed, researchers estimate that up to one third of all adolescents who commit suicide are lesbian or gay. All of the risk factors described here contribute to making suicide the leading cause of death among this group of young people." (Note: in Canada, for non-lesbigay youth, the leading cause of adolescent death is accidents.) ========= GAY/LESBIAN YOUTH IN CRISIS "I thought I was destined to a life of perversity sickness, loneliness and eternal damnation. I can still remember the pain that made me want to die". 23 year old suicide survivor, looking back Lesbian and gay youth grow up with several strikes against them before they even discover or name their sexual orientation. At a young age children observe society's dislike and disapproval of homosexuals. As children enter adolescence, some discover (often to their great dismay) that they do not line up with society expectations. they are not exclusively heterosexual. By this time, they have usually learned their lesson well - to dislike and disapprove of anything homosexual-and therein lie the seeds of spiralling selfhatred. Some youth guard against being discovered and try to compensate difference by excelling in some aspect of their lives. Some are amazingly resilient. Some pose as heterosexual and try to "prove" they are not what they feel themselves to be. Some enter a path of self-destruction. Following is a brief overview of the social context lesbian and gay youth experience as they grow up. THE YOUNG PERSON OBSERVES . . . Society labels lesbian and gay people as sick, bad, immoral, helpless, and self-destructive, discriminates against them; and thereby ensures that many lesbian and gay adults will remain invisible. Most religious groups condemn homosexuals and homosexual behaviour and further label homosexuals as outsiders, as unfit, as sinners. School personnel often allow staff and students to harass, even abuse, those who are (or are suspected to be) different. In most schools the curriculum is silent- failing to give accurate information about sexual development, lesbian and gay contributions throughout history, or oppression based on sexuality. Families often reject, abuse, harass, or disown a child who is (or is thought to be) lesbian or gay. Family members may be angry, hurt, or humiliated, believing that the child has failed to meet their expectations. THE YOUNG PERSON FEELS . . . Low self esteem Often young people apply to themselves the prevailing negative image of homosexuals (sick, helpless, and self-destructive). Identity Conflicts Consequently, such young people may deny their own orientation or fall into despair. Profound social isolation Many feel extremely lonely and cut off, having no opportunity to meet other lesbian and gay youth or adults, no opportunity to develop friendships based on openness and sharing, no opportunity to learn to interact in socially healthy ways. Based either on the experience or the intense fear of rejection by friends and peers, many youth eventually withdraw socially. Alienation from family When families discover their children's identity, they often react harshly, even to the point of disowning them. Thus, many youth feel vulnerable. They fear being discovered, losing love of their parents. being cast out, being forced to support themselves before they are ready. THE YOUNG PERSON ATTEMPTS SOLUTIONS. Professional Help Young people may seek or be taken for professional help, but many professionals are unable to discuss homosexuality, may be insensitive or judgmental; may refuse to accept or support their homosexuality, may violate their confidentiality, thus exposing them to recrimination, possibly violence; may even subject them to involuntary treatment in an effort to change their sexual orientation. Residential Programs If lesbian and gay young people wind up in the child welfare system, adult staff may refuse to accept or support their sexual identity, may allow others to harass or abuse them, may further isolate them, may even be abusive. Escape Many young people, faced with such rejection, resort to substance abuse to relieve emotional pain or to reduce inhibitions about their sexual felling, drop out of school to get away from abuse or harassment, run away from home, and/or attempt suicide. Independent Living Once independent, these youth may well lack support from family and other caring adults. Lesbian and gay adults many of whom have successfully navigated these same treacherous waters--are rarely available to offer support. Youth may experience discrimination when seeking employment; lack vocational training or job skills; and/or become involved in street life, including prostitution and drugs, simply to survive. High risk for HIV/AIDS Similarly, these young people may place themselves at risk for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other infections, from unplanned or secretive, unsafe sexual experiences, and/or drug use. Currently, one out of five of the people reported to have AIDS were infected with HIV while still teenagers. Pessimistic Outlook Ultimately, such young people are susceptible to despair, to the feeling that life will always be difficult. As noted earlier, they usually have no contact with successful lesbian and gay adults whose productive lives would demonstrate the possibility of a more hopeful future. YOU CAN HELP. For all these reasons, lesbian and gay youth are at high risk for serious social, emotional, and health problems. The greatest tragedy is that such problems are preventable. Loving people all around the country are reaching out. forming support groups, and educating others - parents, school personnel health and mental health professionals, religious groups, and others in the community. Such actions are reuniting families and saving the lives of wonderful young people, whose contributions to society would otherwise have been needlessly, tragically lost. Adapted with permission from Paul Gibson LCSW, GAY AND LESBIAN YOUTH SUICIDE. Commissioned Paper. U.S. Department of Health and Human Sexuality 1986- ============ Lesbian Gay & Bisexual Youth FACT FILE POPULATION ********** Age of Awareness **************** Many gay men and lesbians sensed something 'different` about themselves as early as age four or five. The age at which most acknowledge their homosexuality is between 14 and 16 years for males and between 16 and 19 years for females. Source: Saghir MT. Robins E. Walbian B. Male and Female Homosexuality Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins 1973, Among Adolescents: ****************** The Kinsey study found that from puberty to age twenty. 28% of boys and 17% of girls had one or more homosexual experiences. Source: Kinsey AC, Pomeroy WB, Martin CE, Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male, 1948 and Sexual Behaviour in the Human Female, 1953 Among Adults ************ During adulthood, 37% of Americans have homosexual experiences. Ten Percent are predominantly homosexual. (This Is the source of the commonly accepted 10% figure.) Source:Kinsey. op cit STRESS FACTORS ************** Isolation ********* Eighty Percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth report severe isolation problems. They experience: social Isolation : having no one to talk to emotional Isolation :feeling distanced from family and peers because of their sexual identity and cognitive isolation : lack of access to good Information about sexual Orientation and Homosexuality source: Hetrick ES, Martin AD, 'Developmental issues and Their Resolution for Gay and Lesbian Adolescents.' Journal of Homosexuality, 1987. Family Difficulties ******************* Half of all lesbian and gay youth interviewed report that their parents rejected them due to their sexual orientation. Source: Remafedi G. 'Male Homosexuality: The Adolescent's Perspective.' Pediatrics 1987 Substance Abuse *************** In a study of gay male adolescents, 68% reported alcohol use (with 26% using alcohol once or more per week),and 44% reported drug use (with 8% considering themselves drug-dependent). Among young lesbians, 83% had used alcohol, 56% had used drugs, and 11% had used crack/cocaine in the three months preceding the study. Source: Rosario M, Hunter J, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Unpublished data on lesbian adolescents, HIV Center for Clinical and behavioural studies, Now York state Psychiatric institute,1992. SUICIDE ******* Incidence ********** Gay youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual young people. It is estimated that up to 30% of the completed youth suicides are committed by lesbian and gay youth annually. Source: Gibson P, LCSW. 'Gay Male & Lesbian Youth Suicide,' US Department of Health & Human Services 1989 Multiple Attempts ***************** In a study of 137 gay and bisexual males, 29% had attempted suicide, almost half of whom reported multiple attempts. Source :Romafedi G, Farrow JA, Delsher RW 'Risk Factors for Attempted Suicide in Gay and Bisexual Youth.' Pediatrics 1991. HIV/AIDS ******** Prevalence In Youth ******************* Sixty percent of young adult cases of AIDS among men who have had sex with men. Because HIV has an average incubation period of 10.5 years before the onset of AIDS, this statistic indicates that these young people were infected as teenagers. Source: Centers for Disease Control 1992 Risk of Infection ****************** The factors that place lesbian & gay youth at very high risk for HIV transmission include: having to exchange sex for money, unsafe sex substance abuse and denial of sexual identity Source: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioural Studies: New York State Psychiatric Institute 1992 VIOLENCE ******** Physical Assault **************** In a study of self-identified lesbian and gay youth in New York City ,41% reported suffering violence from their families, peers, or strangers. Of the violent incidents, 46% were directly gay-related and primarily perpetrated by family members. SOURCE: Hunter J. Violence Against Lesbian and Gay Youth, J. Interpersonal Violence 1990 In the Schools ************** Forty-five Percent of gay males and 20% of lesbian females experience verbal or physical assault in high school. Twenty-eight percent of these youth are forced to drop out of school because of harassment resulting from their sexual orientation. Sources: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Anti-Gay/Lesbian Victimization New York 1984 and Ramefedi G `Male Homosexuality: The Adolescent perspective` Pediatrics 1987 HOMELESSNESS ************ Expulsion from Families *********************** Twenty-six Percent of gay youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts with their families over their sexual identities. Sources: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Anti-Gay/Lesbian Victimization New York 1984 and Ramefedi G `Male Homosexuality: The Adolescent perspective` Pediatrics 1987 Survival Sex ************ Up to half of the gay/bisexual males forced out of their homes engage in prostitution to support themselves, greatly increasing their risk for HIV infection Source: Savin-Williams RC, Theoretical Perspectives Accounting for Adolescent Homosexuality` J Adol Health Care 1988 Compiled by the Hetric-Martin Institute,New York, New York 401 West Street 212-633-8920 ============ When does suicide occur? suicide rates rates are higher in the spring & fall suicide can occur in clusters within a local area. An imitative or copycat effect is possible for persons who have similar stresses, are the same age, sex & race people planning to commit suicide often communicate their plans to others Who commits suicide people with a previous episode of suicidal behaviour have a 35-50 times greater risk of completing suicide then the overall population mental disorders are in factor in more then half the suicides in North America. These people typically suffer from some form of depression substance abusers have a 7 times greater risk of completing suicide persons bereaved by suicide, especially family members, are 8 times more likely to complete suicide themselves males complete suicide more then 3 times as often as females Native Canadians and in particular young Native males are generally considered to be at high risk. However some traditional native communities have had no suicides in the past 50 years people in custody in jails & priosons have a suicide rate 3 times higher then the general population Why do people commit suicide? Nobody knows why some people commit suicide and others don`t. Possible explanations vary and include a variety of social, psychological or even biologiocal factors. Research does however suggest that certain social & physical/medical factors are linked with higher suicide rates, including: marital status physical illness job pressures mental disorders employment status stress Social factors stress social mobility social isolation undesireable living arrangements crowded living arrangements low-quality housing involvement in crime drug & alcohol abuse solitary living transient habits Terms Suicide: Intentional self-inflicted death, often referred to as completed suicide Suicidal Behaviours: A broader term that describes many types of non-accidental self harm including suicide. Suicidal behaviours include: Suicide attempts: Where there is a clear death attempt Parasuicides: Where there is an attempt with little or no intent to die Suicide Plans: Where there is a specific plan developed but not implemented Suicide Ideation: Where there is a pattern of thoughts about suicide Warning Signs of Suicide Most people who commit suicide have given warning signs beforehand. But unlessyou know what to look for, these signs can be easily missed. If someone you know does any of the following, they may be exhibiting suicidal behaviour. threatens suicide talks about wanting to die shows sudden changes in behaviour, appearance, mood appears depressed & sad has previously attempted suicide uses drugs & alcohol excessively How to Help If someone you know exhibits any signs of suicidal behaviour, you can help them by doing the following: Listen openly and calmly. Don`t expect to solve them problems, just listen. Don`t be afraid to talk about suicide or the problems that have caused the suicidal behaviour. Problems don`t get worse by talking about them. Show you care. If they confide in you that they have been thinking about suicide, tell them and show them how much you care. Don`t agree to keep their suicidal thoughts a secret. Get a professional to do a suicide risk assessment and don`t leave the person alone Don`t ignore threats. Don`t try to change the sunject ot ignore threats because you`re scared. this may look like you don`t care. Don`t offer simple advice. To a person thinking about suicide, the problems look major and unsolveable right now. Don`t tell them the`re selfish to consider suicide when their life is so good. You will make them feel guilty as well as depressed. Don`t say `suicide is the easy way out`. There is nothing easy about suicide. If someone you know exhibits any signs of suicidal behaviour, suggest that they call one of the 24 hour crisis lines: Distress Center 238-3311 Tel-Aide Outaouais 741-6433 Youthline 238-2088 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Hospital Emergency Departments Myths & Facts about Suicide Myth: Only a certain type of troubled person tries suicide False: All types of people have committed suicide. We`ve all heard stories about people with `everything going for them` who committed suicide. However, by & large, people who have had previous attempts, metal illness or major life problems are at higher risk. Myth: People who say they are going to kill themselves are faking to get attention and therefore ignore them False: Do not ignore threats. Every depressed person requires attention and their threats are their attempts to get what they need. When you feel that depressed, you`re entitled to help. Myth: When people think about suicide, they are fully intent on dying-why stop them? It`s their descision False: People usually have mixed feelings about dying, and few commit suicide without letting others know how they are feeling. They give clues which are really cries for help Myth: Once the depression lifts, the risk of suicide is over False: SOmetimes people seem unusually cheerful before their suicide, as is they feel relieved they have finally made a descision. Myth: By mentioning suicide to a depressed person, you risk putting that idea into their heads False: Many people contemplate suicide at one point or another. Your willingness to talk openly will come as a great relief. However if you guessed wrong and they weren`t contemplating suicide, they`ll simply tell you so Myth: Suicide happens without warning False: At least 80% of people who dies from suicide have given clues ========== THE ROLE OF SEXUAL IDENTITY IN YOUTH SUICIDE ******************************************** WHO IS KILLING WHOM? Issue Paper Respect All Youth Project by Ann Thompson Cook 1991 Ann Thompson Cook, INSITE and federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG) Why do teens take their own lives? Why are lesbian and gay youth particularly vulnerable to suicide? Not easy questions to face, much less to answer, but the need is urgent. Today suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents: Nearly 5,000 young people (ages 15-24 died of suicide in 1988. An estimated 20 times that many teens attempted suicide. Arid the rate of teen suicide may even be higher than reported,since Some Suicides are undoubtedly misreported or even covered up as accidental deaths. Evidence is emerging that of all teens who attempt or complete suicide, lesbian and gay youth are disproportionately at risk. Lesbian and gay youth are two to six times more likely to attempt suicide than other youth,and they may account for 30 percent of all completed suicides among teens, although they probably account for only about 10 percent of teens. Among these teens, the distress leading to suicide may be well hidden-not apparent to even the most caring adults. WHY DO TEENS KILL THEMSELVES? **************************** A pattern of hopelessness and despair is often seen among teens who take their own lives suicide as a way to end excruciating emotional pain for which they can imagine no other solution. The cause of the pain varies from youth to youth but often includes intense family conflict, loss of someone the young person loved, or concern or confusion about sexual identity. HOW DOES SEXUAL IDENTITY CONTRIBUTE TO SUICIDE RISK? **************************************************** A young person's sexual identity does not itself cause him or her to attempt suicide. Rather, the occurrence of growing up "different" in a society that expects, even demands- that every orientation be exclusively heterosexual can be devastating for young people who are not. When youth realize they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual, they already know that society condemns them. Even before they reach the kindergarten playground, they learn nasty words for homosexual. The few lesbian or gay people they have seen in movies and on television often die by suicide, homicide, or AIDS, creating disastrous expectations. Moreover, young people generally assume that all the people they know are heterosexual; they have no idea that some of the healthy, respected adults around them are lesbian or gay. Many lesbian and gay youth feel profoundly isolated: `Surely I am the only person like this.` Some are viciously harassed and abused by peers, family members, school or agency personnel, and others. Whether or not they are labelled by others, these youth often * fear being discovered and expect rejection, * carefully guard their true feelings to maintain acceptance (or merely, to survive), * have no opportunity openly to date each other or flirt or engage in sexual experimentation like other teens * lack accurate information about the normality of their feelings arid and experiences. In short, they often invest tremendous energy in society`s negativity and discrimination. Lacking healthy adult role models, skills and support systems, many conclude that have no hope of ever becoming happy and productive. Some gay youth are in greater danger of suicide thank others - particularly those who are abusing substances, are very young teens, so not fit society`s gender stereotypes or have recently `come out`. WHAT IS BEING DONE ****************** Most suicide prevention programs focus on the warning signs for youth suicide. Rarely however, do the signs mention the possibility of an underlying despair about sexual orientation and how that despair might manifest itself. Few mental health professionals even recognize the fact that regardless of ethnic, religious, or racial background, some adolescents are lesbian or gay. IS THERE ANY HOPE? ****************** Hope lies in two directions: Reversing the circumstances of rejection and exclusion that create such despair for nonheterosexual youth and, in the meantime, helping them learn to cope with those circumstances. Cultivate an affirming environment. ********************************** In some ways we as a society have been slowly killing these children a period of years and with their suicides, they are simply finishing the job we started. We as family members, school and youth agency personnel, institutional policy makers, governmental agents, and religious lay people and leaders can change this destructive atmosphere. Educating ourselves about lesbian and gay youth suicide is an important beginning. We must also: * encourage individuals and institutions such as school, scouts, 4-H, and churches to show respect to all youth including lesbian and gay youth; * make clear that abusive language and actions will not be tolerated; * inform ourselves and our youth about the wide range of sexual experience; and * make it safe for gay and lesbian adults including teachers and others who work with youth, to be open about their own sexual orientation without fear of discrimination or loss of employment- Actively develop coping skills ****************************** Most individuals within other stigmatized groups,such as african American grow up in families whose members have personally, experienced discrimination. Such families have developed ways to support each other and to teach children usually from infancy how to cope. Lesbian and gay youth, on the other hand, usually have no such family, and community backup; indeed, their families often r the larger society's hostility. Therefore, avenues need to be created to help youth who identify themselves as lesbian or gay to develop positive self-esteem and skills to deal with a negative environment. Such youth need * supportive opportunities to socialize with one another * resources that specifically address their concerns and - * sensitive nonjudgmental help as they struggle to discover "who I am" Such changes would constitute suicide prevention for a population at great risk. ``I almost lost my daughter when she was 14. If there had been enough pills in the house she would be gone, and I wouldn`t know why.`` - Mother of a young lesbian woman ====== Other Bibliographic citations: Kourany, R. 1987 Suicide among homosexual adolescents. Journal of Homosexuality 13:111-117. Remafedy, G., et al. 1991. Risk factors for attempted suicide in gay and bisexual Youth. Pediatrics 87:869-875. Shaffer, David. Political science: misleading research on gay youth and suicide. The New Yorker 69 (May 3, 1993):116. Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide, by Marcia R. Feinleib, U. S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, Rockville, Maryland (USA. January, 1989. (4 volumes). Volume 1 is Overview & Recommendations, Volume 2 is Risk Factors for Youth Suicide (Yes, a minority sexual orientation is a significant risk factor!), Volume 3 is Preventions and Interventions, and Volume 4 is Strategies for the Prevention of Youth Suicide. These have been assigned DHHS Publication Nos. (ADM) 89-1621 through (ADM) 89-1624. For those of you with access to a library which participates in the U. S. Government Depository Library system, the call number is HE 20.8002:Y 8/v. 1 - 4. ====== Martin A.D. `Learning to Hide: The Socialization of the Gay Adolescent` in Feinstein, Looney and Schwartberg (eds) ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY, 10:52-65, University of Chicago, 1982 Remafedi G, Farrow JA, Deisher R.W. `Risk factors for Attemted Suicide in Gay and Bisexual Youth` PEDIATRICS, 87-869-875, 1991 Thompson Cook, Ann `Issue Paper, Respect all Youth Project, Who is Killing Whom, 1991 Ann Thompson Cook, INSITE, and Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-Flag) PO BOX 27605 Washington DC, 20038 Thompson Cook, Ann `Issue Paper, Respect all Youth Project, Gay/Lesbian Youth in Crisis, 1991 Ann Thompson Cook, INSITE, and Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-Flag) PO BOX 27605 Washington DC, 20038 ====== Although the Gibson report on Youth Suicide was disavowed under pressure from the Religious Right in the USA (see below, far below), the report itself is still available at any government documents depository (including many college libraries). CITATION: Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration: Department of Health and Human Services. _Report_of_the_Secretary's_Task_ Force_on_Youth_Suicide_. (DHHS Publication No. ADM 89-1623). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989. TITLE: Report of Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide, 1989. NUMBER: HE20.8002/y8 (v1 to v4) MOST IMPORTANT PARTS ARE: **** Volume 3, pages 3-110 to 3-142 Gay Male and Lesbian Youth Suicide, by Paul Gibson (Paul Gibson is: L.C.S.W, Therapist and Program Consultant, San Francisco, CA) A few quotes: p.3-110: A majority of suicide attempts by homosexuals occur during their youth, and gay youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They may comprise up to 30 percent of completed youth suicides annually. .... Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay male, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual youth. **** Volume 1: under recommendations RECOMMENDATION 4a (Increase the number of health professionals specializing in the psychological assessment and treatment of children and youth): On Page 1-36, as part of the 'Action Plan' that goes with each recommendation, "Include as training components, sensitivity to various cultural groups, language differences, and sexual orientation." RECOMMENDATION 6d-2 (Encourage the development of organizations and programs that intergrate youth who have multiple risk factors into a social network), the Action Plan says (p. 1-51): o " End discrimination against youths on the basis of such characteristics as disability, sexual orientation, and financial status. o Enlist adult group leaders who reflect the population of youth served. o Clarify the term 'peer counseling.'" RECOMMENDATION 6i (Families), the Action Plan says (p. 1-55): "As part of the local community planning processes, identify or establish appropriate community resources to develop educational materials for families. Some areas to cover include: .... helping families understand, accept, support, and care for homosexual young persons in the family." ======================== When the above report was made public, the Radical Right objected to its provisions, and tried to get the HHS Dept. to disavow it. The following is a leaked letter from Louis Sullivan, Secretary of HHS, to Rep. Dannemeyer. -------------------------- Oct 13, 1989 The Honorable William W. Dannemeyer House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Mr. Dannemeyer: This is in response to our October 5 discussion of your and Congressman Dornan's concerns regarding certain parts of the _Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide._ As we discussed, that report was commissioned and written during the previous Administration. Moreover, I want to reemphasize that the views expressed in the paper entitled "Gay Male and Lesbian Youth Suicide" do not in any way represent my personal beliefs or the policy of this Department. Indeed, I am strongly committed to advancing traditional family values. Federal policies must be crafted with great care so as to strengthen rather than undermine the institution of the family. In my opinion, the views expressed in the paper run contrary to that aim. Nevertheless, the growing problem of suicide among young people in this country is of great concern to me. Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death for 15-to 24-year-olds and accounts for more than 200,000 potential years of life lost each year. Even though I neither endorse nor approve the report from the Task Force on Youth Suicide, I am examining the recommendations in order to shape future Department initiatives that might stop suicides among the youth of America. One of the key guideposts I will have in mind is whether or not such initiatives help to advance, first and foremost, the role of family, as well as that of faith, our schools, and other traditional social institutions in providing children with the love, support, and guidance they need to emerge from the often troubled adolescent years with a sense of purpose, self-respect and a consistent set of values. While this is not an issue that will ultimately lend itself to a Federal solution, we have an important leadership role to play. I hope to exert that leadership in a positive way. Once again allow me to express my appreciation for your bringing this very important matter to my attention. Sincerely, Louis W. Sullivan, MD ----- [apparently the Religious Right continue to attack this report, raising some objections about the scientific method -- for instance, that all the young people surveyed present as psychologically troubled, and so of course higher suicide rates would be seen. There is some surface sense to that, but [to editorialise] I wouldn't take too much scientific abuse from those who maintain that the world was created in six days, and that evolution is nonsense.] ============= The Homosexuality Factor in the Youth Suicide Problem Pierre J. Tremblay B.Sc., B.A., B.Ed. Presented at the Sixth Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Banff, Alberta, October 11-14, 1995, (c) Oct 1995. === * Abstract, and Addendum * Key Words: gay youth, lesbian youth, attempted suicide, suicide, youth problems, sexual abuse, male homosexuality demographic data. * Introduction * History of the Suicide Problem in Gay Communities * The Gay and Bisexual Male Attempted Suicide Problem: 1930-1995 * The Bagley(1994) Confirmation of the Gay and Bisexual Male Over- Representation in the Male Youth Attempted Suicide Problem * The Suicide Attempt Problem for Lesbian and Bisexual Female Youth, and for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual youth of Colour * The Suicide Problem for Gay and Bisexual Males * Discussion * Conclusion * Acknowledgements * Appendix A * Appendix B * Appendix C * Bibliography * Endnotes * Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 * Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 . ------------------------- Pierre Tremblay, pierre@qrd.org, 19 Jan 1996 http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/youth/tremblay/" ======== A review article summarising and covering the current scientific literature on lesbian/gay youth and suicide has been published within the last two years by: Rich Savin-Williams in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, vol 62, pp 261-269. ====== Canadian Stuff: Paul Gibson's research (published 1989) indicated that a majority of suicide attempts by homosexuals occur during their youth, and gay youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They may comprise up to 30 percent of completed youth suicides annually. .... Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay male, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual youth. This is US data, but various Canadian studies are congruent with it. [these citations are incomplete, my apologies] A survey by The Village Clinic in Winnipeg "Gay and Lesbian Youth Services : Survey of Lesbian and Gay Youth and professionals who work with youth" August 1989 , Village Clinic 204 453 0045 Pink Triangle Services in Ottawa published the work of an MSW graduate student, Curtis Magnussen on the needs of lesbigay youth. This document is still available through Pink Triangle Services. Central Toronto Youth Services (300- 65 Wellesley E Toronto M4Y 1G7 416 924 2100) did statistical analysis of lesbigay youth seeking their services. Data for 95-96: of 104 individuals, assessed at intake, 20% of the males and 25% of the females had suicidal issues as part of their presenting problems. Almost all of those who received further counselling reported being suicidal at some point in their adolescence. Calgary data: See Pierre Tremblay (above) relying on data from Bagley (1994). The Bagley data is for 750 randomly selected young adult males (of whom a portion were of course gay). 62% of the males reporting suicide attempts were gay. ======================end of lesbigay teen suicide file======== ================compiled through can.motss and soc.motss 1996 04 02-22=== -- Chris Ambidge / ambidge@chem-eng.utoronto.ca / ambidge@ecf.utoronto.ca chemical engineering / university of toronto / 200 college street 200 college street / toronto ON / canada / m5s 3e5 / 416 978 3106