- Having accessible, positive LGBT role models becomes very important in alleviating 
distress among LGBT people of all ages – not just the young.
- Research has shown that where LGBT youth feel an increased sense of belonging in school there is a concomitant decrease victimization, depression and psychological distress.


Arizona State University

This study discusses the following topics based on its findings:

- Positive Role Models
- Informal Support Structures
- Engagement in Activities
- Common Factors in Suicide Attempts
- Protective Factors for Suicidality


Study Discussion

Rivers, I., Gonzalez, C., Nodin, N., Peel, E., & Tyler, A. (2018). LGBT people and suicidality in youth: A qualitative study of perceptions of risk and protective circumstances. Social Science & Medicine, 212, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.06.040

LGBT People and Suicidality in Youth: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions of Risk and Protective Circumstances

Positive Role Models

- Informal support structures that are non-institutional are believed to help reduce deliberate self-harm and suicidal behavior. 
- Such structures may include online chatrooms and forums, and as Thomas (2002) has shown, sometimes these online interactions can become physical support groups (meeting in coffee shops), particularly in locations where LGBT people have few organized opportunities to socialize.

Informal Support Structures

- Previous authors have also attested to the protective nature of engagement in activities such as voluntary work, attending organized LGBT groups, engaging in sports or physical activities, or education-related activities. 
- It is not surprising therefore that many of participants found LGBT social networks an effective means of support through sharing experiences with others and developing a sense of community. 

Protective Nature of Engagement in Activities

For many participants, their suicide attempts were marked by the social 
asymmetries they experienced in their interactions with others, and by their inability to 
implement effective coping strategies to deal with them. 

Common Factors in Suicide Attempts

Participants indicated that family support for their sexual orientation or gender identity, and feeling safe in school would have had a positive impact on well-being early on. Interventions aimed at encouraging greater self-esteem and positive role models for LGBT youth could have had a potentially protective effect against suicide risk.

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