Just one supportive adult decreases the chance that an LGBTQ youth will attempt suicide by 40%

If a single individual can reduce the chance of an LGBTQ youth will attempt suicide by 40%, can you imagine what a welcoming church family can do?

All statistics are from the Trevor Project (unless otherwise noted)

Bullying & Hate Crimes:

• Each episode of LGBTQ victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by 2.5 times on average.

• 10% were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property

• 34% were bullied on school property.

• 28% experienced cyberbullying

• According to FBI numbers released in November, violence against individuals rose to a 16-year high last year.

• Anti-transgender hate crimes rose nearly 34%.

• LGBTQ community has been the target of nearly half of the 194 suspected hate crimes in D.C. through November for 2019.

Mental Health Issues:

• According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), LGBTQ teens are 6 times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than the general population.

• A 2018 study found that low family satisfaction, cyberbullying victimization & unmet medical needs contributed to their higher rates of depression.

• Fear about coming out and discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity can also lead to teen anxiety disorders, PTSD, thoughts of suicide, and substance abuse.

Family Rejection and Homelessness:

In one study, LGBTQ youth who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence when compared with their peers were

• 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide.

• 5.9 times likely to report high levels of depression.

• 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs

• 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse.

• LGBTQ youth represent as much as 40% of the homeless youth population.

• Of that population, studies indicate that as many as 60% are likely to attempt suicide.

Suicide:

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among you people ages 10 to 24.

• LGBTQ youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost 3 times the rate of heterosexual youth.

• The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), conducted by the CDC, found that 40% of high school LGBTQ students have seriously considered suicide.

• In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt; 92% of these reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.

• After gay marriage was legalized in 2015 in the US, suicide attempt rates fell 7% among all students and 14% among gay students, according to the American Medical Association. No change was indicated in states where same-sex marriage wasn’t legal.

• A study of same-sex couples in Denmark and Sweden, by the Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention, saw a 46% decline in suicide compared to 28% in heterosexual unions after legalization. 

Church & the LGBTQ community:

• The relationship between religion & the LGBTQ community is a complicated one & everyone experiences it differently.

• Religious communities can be the source of much harm and rejection.

• When accepted into the church family, faith can bring them hope and comfort.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our work within the Bridging Community

The Mountain Park UMC Agape Reconciliation Community (ARC) recognizes the crucial nature of each conversation in The Bridges Movement at Mountain Park. We support the dialog and mission statement being developed by each Bridges Conversation (Racial Reconciliation, LGBTQI+ Inclusion). Each Bridge cannot stand alone but works in harmony and unison with the others to inspire the church to be all the Holy Spirit asks us to be, Christ in the world.

Learn more about our other Bridges and how you can connect.