Why do youth feel suicidal?
	Is the risk for suicide higher for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens?
	What to do if you feel suicidal
	Getting help from a counselor or support group
	What to do if you care about a teen who might be suicidal

Feeling suicidal usually means that you think about hurting yourself, or even ending your own life. Sometimes these feelings are very specific and involve thinking about how you might harm yourself. Sometimes these feelings are more general - like wishing you wouldn't wake up tomorrow morning.

If you have felt suicidal you know how bad it can be. Many other people, both straight and gay, have felt that way, especially as teens. You are not alone. Sometimes GLBT persons feel particularly alone or isolated and so they may be at particular risk for experiencing suicidal feelings. Almost all of those people have survived and are living happily today. Your life is worth living, and people care about you.

If you are feeling suicidal right now, get some help right way. Although it may be hard to imagine right now, the feelings you're having will pass and you will be glad you did seek help. If you're in King County and want to speak with someone right away, call the Crisis Clinic at (206) 461-3222.

How great is the risk?

The risk is real. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. For every teen death by suicide, there are 10-20 attempts serious enough to require hospitalization.

Yes, GLBT teenagers are at significantly greater risk for suicide attempts than heterosexual teens.

• According to a Seattle Public Schools survey, GLB teens were more than twice as likely as heterosexual teens to report making a specific plan for suicide.
• GLB teens who had been harassed because of their orientation were almost twice as likely to have made a suicide plan as those who had not.
• GLB youth were four times as likely as straight teens to have made a suicide attempt in the past year which was serious enough to have been treated by a doctor or a nurse.
• Transgender youth probably have even higher risk, because they are probably even more likely to have been harassed and ostracized and are less likely to have found a support system.

However, suicide is NOT an inevitable part of growing up as a sexual minority. Eight out of ten GLB teens in the Seattle study had NOT made a suicide attempt in the past year and two out of three had NOT even seriously considered suicide.

Most people survive the prejudice around them and live healthy, happy, long lives. There is increasing acceptance in society and more and more GLBT youth groups and centers where you can find support.

• First and most importantly, know that feelings change
  You may feel right now as if you will never be safe or loved or happy. You will. Plenty of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people lead healthy lives, have wonderful relationships and reach a place of peace and pride. You will find a way to survive this crisis.
  
  
• Get safe. Do not tolerate abuse.
  If you are being harassed at school, talk to someone about it. Is there a supportive adult at school? Can you ask your parent or guardian to contact the school in confidence? If not, try the Safe Schools Coalition (1-888-307-9275 or 1-866-439-6631 or intervention@safeschoolscoalition.org). Outside of Washington State try GLSEN (glsen@glsen.org). If necessary, get out; there are other ways to get an education if you are in danger at school.
  
  If you are being abused at home, talk to someone about it. Is there a supportive adult at home? Can you confide in a favorite teacher or counselor to help you call Child Protective Services?
  
  
• Here are some other resources if you are being abused at home, or are in an abusive relationship
  
  • Northwest Network Of Bisexual, Trans And Lesbian Survivors Of Abuse: 206-568-7777 (accepts collect calls)
    King County Crisis Line: 1-800-244-5767
  • King County Sexual Assault Resource Center 1-800-825-7273
  • If you live outside King County, ask information for the crisis line or sexual assault center nearest to you.
    
    
• Make careful decisions about when and how to "come out."
  There's no reason you have to come out if you aren't ready. Sometimes there are very good reasons not to come out. There are people who won't accept you if you're gay or transgender, people who will do and say terrible things.
  
  There are also good reasons to let some people know that you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning your gender. Hiding your sexual orientation keeps the important people in your life from knowing about a big part of you. It can feel really isolating and lonely.
  
  If you do decide to come out, start with someone you feel pretty confident you can trust. Try not to focus too much on their first reaction-oftentimes people are shocked and need some time to adjust to the news. This doesn't mean they don't care about you.
  
  As for parents and guardians, you know yours better than anyone else. Most parents go through a period of confusion and grief when their child comes out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Many recover and become their child's best safety net. Others don't. Be really careful in making this decision if you are financially dependent on your parents/guardians.
  
  Remember, you can always come out tomorrow -- it's harder to take it back. Take care of yourself and don't rush.
  
  
• Be good to yourself
  You can also sometimes turn a feeling of crisis around if you:
  • eat healthy food
  • get some physical exercise
  • get some sleep
  • get/stay free of alcohol and other drugs
  • become an activist (changing the world is great therapy)
  • think about your goals and plans for the future
  • laugh, keep a sense of humor about the world
  • do the things you think are fun
    
    
• Give yourself credit for having survived so far
  You must have some great strengths and ways of coping that have helped you until now. Think about what they are and pat yourself on the back. If you can't think of what your personal assets and survival mechanisms are, get someone who knows you to help you list them.
  
  
• Find support
  
  • If you have recently been humiliated or harassed, find support.
  • If you just broke up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, find support.
  • If your parents are divorcing or someone you love recently died, find support.
  • If you are homeless or lonely or depressed or afraid, find support.
  • Think, right now, of who cares about you. If you can't think of at least two people, you might find it helpful to get into a support group or see a counselor.

How might you know when it's time to get professional help? If several of the statements below describe you, it might be appropriate for you to seek help by talking to a mental health professional such as a school counselor, doctor, therapist or another trusted adult, such as a parent about how you feel.

• I am sleeping much later than I used to.
• I'm not sleeping well and wake up early in the morning.
• I'm beginning to take a lot of naps.
• My appetite has changed, and I've noticeably lost or gained weight.
• I feel restless.
• I have withdrawn from friends and family.
• I can't concentrate very well.
• I've lost interest or pleasure in activities that I once enjoyed.
• I feel hopeless or guilty.
• I've had sudden mood or behavior changes (I used to be quiet and now I am hyperactive, or once I was outgoing and now I'm withdrawn).
• I feel that life isn't worth living.

• Take the person seriously.
• Listen to their feelings, without giving a lot of advice or suggesting simple solutions.
• If the person's words or actions scare you, tell them. Don't be cheerful or phony.

Help the person find a support group or a mental health professional they can talk to, preferably someone who has worked with GLBT youth before and who understands their needs. Make sure it is NOT someone whose philosophy is that GLBT people should change their sexual orientations or gender identities or who feels GLBT people are sick, or immoral. There is no reliable evidence that so-called "reparative therapy" does any good and it can do serious harm.