Development History
The Suicide Prevention Resource Centre, in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago (an independent research organisation specialising in the objective analysis of social data since 1941), has developed this guide for those who live and work with LGBTIQ2S+ young people. The process involved interviews with key informants—mental health experts, many of whom have personal experience related to suicide.
Intended Audience
This guide is designed for all adults who interact with LGBTIQ2S+ youth or develop policies that affect them. It will be useful for:
- Parents, guardians and communities;
- School psychologists, social workers and teaching staff;
- Professionals in the helping professions (in healthcare and behavioural health);
The scale of the problem and queer joy
Current statistics
Systemic factors, such as discrimination, bullying and the politicisation of LGBTIQ2S+ communities, create heightened risks. According to a Trevor Project survey (2023):
- 41% of LGBTIQ2S+ young people have seriously considered suicide in the past year.
- 14% have attempted it.
Important: Research shows that having at least one supportive adult nearby reduces the risk of suicidal behaviour by 40%.
Spread hope: queer joy as a form of resilience
We urge a move away from a ‘deficit’ approach (focusing exclusively on problems, trauma and risks). Instead of focusing on grim statistics, it is important to emphasise the power of community. Queer joy (the positive experience of self-acceptance, finding community and celebrating one’s identity as an act of resilience) and finding ‘one’s own’ is a political act of resistance that saves lives.
Key implementation strategies
1. Creating a safe and affirming environment
Be a real ally. It is not a noun (a sticker on a door), but a verb (an action).
- Ask about pronouns and use them correctly.
- Nothing for them without them: Involve young people in programme development.
- Neutrality: Instead of ‘every adult who interacts...’, use ‘all adults interacting with young people...’ or the form ‘every adult interacting’.
2. Enhancing professionals’ competencies
Many therapists and doctors acknowledge a lack of knowledge.
- Avoid ‘binary traps’ in documentation and communication.
- Integrate inclusive language into training programmes.
3. Racial and cultural sensitivity
The experience of a white cisgender young man differs from that of a Black trans girl.
- Adaptation of ‘Two-Spirit’: The text mentions ‘Native Americans and Two-Spirit youth’. Editor’s note: In the CIS context, this experience intersects with the history of decolonisation and the search for identity within national cultures, helping to make sense of the diversity of gender roles outside Western constructs.
4. Safety and legal risks
When working in regions with strict legislation, it is important to use medically sound wording.
- Instead of: ‘Conversion therapy is evil; it must be banned’.
- Recommended wording: “Practices aimed at forcibly changing sexual orientation have no proven effectiveness and are recognised as harmful by international medical communities.”
Glossary and terminology
We use the acronym LGBTIQ2S+ to encompass the full diversity of identities. We urge professionals in the helping professions to be flexible: young people today use over 100 terms to self-identify.
Key takeaways
The most effective way to prevent suicide is to create an environment where young people can thrive.
- Listen: Let young people speak for themselves.
- Support: Be a pillar of support in their search for identity.
- Act: Queer joy and support for basic needs (housing, food) are more important than dry manuals.
