A few months ago, I started a series of blogs on suicide. My
first revolved around basic information about what suicide is and those that
are more prone to it. I included my own personal story of an attempt. Today, I
am looking into specific groups, their risks, and what that means for society
as a whole. It’s not an easy topic to talk about, but that’s why I feel we NEED
to talk about it. Suicide and attempted suicide are huge problems in our
nation, and it’s a problem that only keeps growing.
Suicide affects every demographic. From childhood to the
elderly, wealthy and the poverty stricken, every race and nationality, and
people across the spectrum of sexuality. In any way you slice humanity, there
are pockets of those that suffer so greatly they consider taking their own
lives. Yet, even though every demographic is affected, certain groups of people
are more at risk than others.
One such group is the LGBT community. It is a group that is
consistently fighting for rights and acceptance, and their struggles often come
with dire results. The link between suicide and this community is sobering. As
I said in the last installment about this subject, suicide is the 2nd
leading cause of death of people from 10-24. Of those young people, the Trevor
project states that LGBT youth are almost 3 times more likely to contemplate
suicide than their heterosexual peers, and FIVE times more likely to have
attempted suicide. The stats grow even more heartbreaking the more you look at
them. On top of this already high risk, if these youths are rejected from their
families, they are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide. Forty percent of
transgender adults have had at least one suicide attempt, with 92% of these
attempts before the age of 25.
The statistics are shocking. They clearly indicate that the
LGBT community suffers greatly. If you are straight, perhaps you think this
doesn’t affect you, but you’re wrong. It does. It affects all of us. Those at
risk could be your mother, your father, your son, your daughter, sister,
brother, best friend. We all know someone that is gay or bi, or even trans, and
as close as we may be to that person, deep down, we will not truly know the
struggles they go through. The fact is, that while our society is slowly
becoming more accepting, LGBT people still receive hatred, misunderstanding,
and judgement from others. This can range from teasing and name calling, to
actual violence. Added to that, there
can be depression, anxiety, and self-harm. On top of outside forces, there may
be inner voices that affect someone. Take for instance, X. X is from a loving
family, with a strong supportive family base. X is transgender, and struggles
with depression and self harm. X has attempted suicide, and dabbles in
substances to help cope with the pain. X’s arms are riddled with cuts and scars
from self-harm, an outlet for anguish of the mind caused by being different
from others. It’s a heavy, heavy thing for a twenty year old.
X could be someone you know. What X deals with is not every
trans person’s journey, but it is a significant example of how close to home
these struggles can be. Every person knows someone in this community, someone
that struggles with not being accepted, or even hurt by others for something
that they cannot help. LGBT people have
more factors against them than the general population that put them at more
risk for a suicide attempt. Homelessness, lack of family/community support, high
stress, access to dangerous substances, lack of access to mental health help,
victimization, bullying, self-harm, and cultural or religious beliefs that suggest
suicide as a solution are all factors that raise a person’s risk of suicide (Trevor
Project). Sobering how long that list is, isn’t it? The Trevor Project is a wonderful resource for
the LGBT community and their allies, that provides tons of information and ways
to help. On top of all the risk factors, they also list protective factors, or
things that can lessen one’s suicide risk. Some of them are: easy access to
culturally competent, effective care, support from family, schools, peers, and medical/mental
health professionals, coping and conflict resolution skills, restricted access
to lethal means of suicide, academic, artistic or athletic achievements,
positive role models, and cultural/religious officials that discourage suicide.
X is a real person. X’s journey is not over, and I am keeping all
details about their identity confidential. It is not my place or my intention
to share more than was shared with me. I wish X the best, and hope that X finds
their way and thrives.
Another group of people that has a significant risk of suicide
is military service members and veterans. A recent estimate says that 22
veterans die DAILY due to suicide (SPRC). While this estimate may differ across
gender, race, and so on, it’s still a staggering number of people. Danny O’Neel,
in his opinion piece for USA Today, states that from 2001 to 2014, suicide
rates among Veterans has increased 32%. His information stems from an article
in the Military Times, that details the information more thoroughly. That
article states that in 2014, more than 7,400 veterans ended their own lives,
accounting for 18% of all suicides in America. The kicker? Veterans make up
only 9% of the overall population (Military Times).
So, what makes veterans so at risk? Part of it is the nature
of the job. Our military sees things that are life altering. Their lives are in
constant peril while they are deployed or in service, and they can experience
PTSD from what they see and do. Civilians can’t understand the bonds formed
during war, or the horrors seen. While away, the men and women fighting for our
country are with people doing the same. There’s an understanding, and a family
feeling. Once home, however, that can change. That same support isn’t there.
Danny O’Neel indicates that part of the problem is that the VA is understaffed.
Veterans are shuffled through the system too fast, or even turned away due to
lack of staff or resources. O’Neel also sees a problem with what happens when military
members come home. There’s extensive training for what happens while in
service, but virtually no resources for what happens when they come home. They
are brought home and expected to deal alone with the changes in themselves that
have occurred. Granted, the VA has hired 5300 more mental health providers, but
is that enough? I don’t’ think so. As a nation, we pour a ton of money into
wars, but do very, very little to help our warriors once they return home.
What will help? O’Neel says that a feeling of community, and
being with others that have had the same experiences will help. He has founded
The Independence Fund, which works in connection with the VA to help veterans
by providing support. They provide mental health training retreats for military
families. There is also a VA crisis hotline, that was created to help support
those that are in need. Still, more qualified mental health officials are
needed, especially those that are well versed in the military. Support from
families and communities, mental health resources, and understanding are also
key in lowering suicide rates among Veterans.
I also looked at suicide rates for different races and occupations,
but there is fairly limited research on those topics. Suicide for the most part
is still seen as a relatively “white” problem, but I don’t think that’s true. I
think that there are cultural and societal factors that make reporting of
depression/anxiety, and suicide attempts less likely, and as a result, the statistics
are skewed. I have hope that these problems are probed into, and more reliable
research will come to light.
Suicide in specific groups isn’t just a problem for that group.
It’s a problem for us all. Mental health programs are imperative for the health
of the overall nation, not just those at risk. We never know what is going on
in other people’s lives, and while you may think that someone you know is okay,
they may very well be struggling with something that you don’t know about. Suicide
is costly, in many, many ways. It affects relationships, health, and even the
overall cost of healthcare in the nation. By supporting our fellow man, we can help,
in so many ways. Listening helps. Being kind helps. They are such small things,
but you never know when you may be changing the tide of someone’s life.
As always, if you or anyone else you know is suffering from
depression, or if you are thinking of suicide, PLEASE reach out for help! PLEASE CALL 1–800–273–TALK (8255). It’s the suicide hotline, and
they are always there to help! If you are LGBT, or an ally, and need help, or
would like to help, www.thetrevorproject.org
has a ton or great resources!
Below are the resources I used for this blog. Feel free to check
them out, if you are interested in learning more. Next time, I’ll be looking
into the effects of suicide on those left behind.
