Suicidality
Suicide is a very real topic for the queer and trans community, as 2S/LGBTQIA+ people are seven times more likely to attempt suicide and over half of 2S/LGBTQIA+ students in the K-12 study reported having had suicidal thoughts. Suicide attempts are associated with depression, low self-esteem, history of forced sex, drug and alcohol treatment and gender-based discrimination. Social isolation may make individuals more vulnerable due to the strong association between homophobic victimization and mental health.
While the QTHC works to champion and affirm lasting systems change to improve the health of all queer and trans community members, it’s important to acknowledge the prevalence of suicidality in our community and provide resources for those who may be at risk.
Resources for individuals experiencing suicidality
Alberta Health Link: 811
Mental Health Help Line:
1-877-303-2642 (Available 24/7)
Support available for caretakers at Health Link or through the Mental Health Help Line
Brite Line:
1-844-702-7483 (Available 24/7) / www.briteline.ca
Local initiative to create a safe space where 2SLGBTQIA+ folks can connect with supports free of judgement or stigma
Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton:
780-482-4357 (Distress line available 24/7)
Police and Crisis Team (PACT):
780-342-7777 (Crisis line available 24/7)
Team comprised of police constable and a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse or a social worker
Calgary ConnecTeen:
Text 587-333-2724 / Online Chat www.calgaryconnecteen.com
Text or online chat options (available M-F 1500-2200, Sat – Sun 1200-2200)
Available to all Alberta Youth
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line:
1-855-242-3310 / www.hopeforwellness.ca (Phone or online chat available 24/7)
Crisis Services Canada:
1-833-456-4566 (Phone available 24/7)
Text 45645 (available 1600-2400 ET)
Distress Centre:
403-266-4357 (available 24/7)
Walk in counselling services available in Calgary.What does physical abuse look like?
Anything that causes physical pain or injury
Biting, hitting, shoving, kicking, slapping, choking, hair-pulling
Throwing objects or hitting a person with objects
Use of a weapon
Depraving or restricting a person of basic needs including food, shelter, sleep or medicine
Suicidality Statistics
Victims and/or perpetrators of bullying are at greater risk for suicide. 2S/LGBTQIA+individuals are more likely to be bullied and harassed than their heterosexual peers because of sexual and gender-based discrimination.
42-68% of 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth have experienced verbal harassment
20% of 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth have reported physical harassment
33-49% have reported sexual harassment in the last year
Sexual minority males have a higher risk of suicidal attempts and ideation compared to their heterosexual peers; environmental factors include bullying, victimization and fear of violence in the community. Additionally, bullying and victimization of 2S/LGBTQIA+ men related to ‘feminine’ behaviors may contribute to higher levels of suicidality. Prevalent heteronormative ideas reject traditional gender role non-conformities resulting in sexist attitudes and prejudice towards men exhibiting ‘feminine’ behaviors.
Bisexual individuals report greater psychological distress and mental health issues because they may feel isolated from the rest of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community. The isolation may be a result of bisexual erasure, which is a problem in which the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality, either in general or individually, is questioned or denied outright.
22-43% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide in their lifetime and over 10% have reported to have had a suicide attempt in the past year. IPV can lead to negative physical and mental health outcomes
Recognizing Suicidal Behaviours
Suicide-related behaviors include:
Suicidal ideation: thinking about taking one’s own life
Suicide planning:preparing supplies to take their own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills.
Suicide attempt: when someone tries to end their life. This often means that the individual needs help and is at high risk for suicide
Suicide survivors:
People who have lost someone through suicide
A person who survived a suicide attempt and may continue to have ideations or suicide-related behaviors
Signs and behaviours indicating suicidal risk:
Withdrawing from family, friends or activities
Feelings of purposelessness or having no reason to live
Increased substance use (drugs, alcohol, inhalants)
Feeling hopeless the future or like life is never going to get better
Feeling trapped or like there’s no other options
Talking about being a burden or being in unbearable pain
Anxiety or significant mood changes (anger, sadness or helplessness)
Change in sleeping or eating patterns
Making arrangements or giving away belongings when there is no logical explanation for the behavior
Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again
Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
Talking about suicide. For example, statements such as “I’m going to kill myself”, “I wish I were dead” or “I wish I hadn’t been born”
What to do if you are not feeling like yourself, experiencing a crisis, or have emotional pain
Spend time with loving and supportive people
Consider becoming involved in 2S/LGBTQIA+ community organizations or Gay-Straight Alliances
Try to manage substance use
Ask for help and support!
References
What You Should Know About LBTQ Youth Suicide in Canada
https://egale.ca/backgrounder-lgbtq-youth-suicide/
The Department of Health – The Mental Health of Australians: Suicidality
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-m-mhaust2-toc~mental-pubs-m-mhaust2-hig~mental-pubs-m-mhaust2-hig-sui
Government of Canada – About Suicide
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/suicide-prevention/about-suicide.html
The Health of LGBTQIA2+ Communities in Canada – Report of the Standing Committee on Health
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/421/HESA/Reports/RP10574595/hesarp28/hesarp28-e.pdf
Pompili, M., Lester, D., Forte, A., Seretti, M. E., Erbuto, D., Lamis, D. A., … Girardi, P. (2014). Bisexuality and Suicide: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(8), 1903–1913.
Luong, C. T., Rew, L., & Banner, M. (2018). Suicidality in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 39(1), 37–45.
Peter, G., Mariah, W., & Marshall, C. (2015). Masculine Identity, Ambivalent Sexism, and Attitudes Toward Gender Subtypes: Favoring Masculine Men and Feminine Women. Social Psychology, (4), 210.
Preventing Suicide – Injury Prevention & Safety, Information for Health Professionals
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/injprev/page4875.aspx
Transgender People and Suicide
https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/transgender-people-suicide/
Sexual Minorities and Suicide
https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/sexual-minorities-fact-sheet/
Erasure of Bisexuality
https://www.glaad.org/bisexual/bierasure
Suicide: What to do when someone is suicidal
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/suicide/in-depth/suicide/art-20044707
