When kids sense that they “belong,” they feel accepted, supported, and valued by peers, teachers, and community. A sense of belonging even fosters more involvement in school activities and better academic achievement. Feeling like you belong serves as a protective factor by reducing risky behaviors and mental health distress, including self-injury and suicide. Over the past decade, the “Interpersonal Theory of Suicide” has advanced the scientific and clinical understanding of suicide and related conditions. The theory posits that the “desire” to take your own life emerges when individuals experience intractable feelings of being a burden to others or that they don’t belong. Feeling alone and like a burden is a dangerous mix, and results in a feeling of hopelessness.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to remember how a sense of belonging significantly affects all young people, but especially the mental health and well-being of our more vulnerable youth, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth. LGBTQ+ youth face significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. According to a 2024 Trevor Project survey, 39 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Among transgender and nonbinary youth, that number rises to 46 percent.
This is not because of their sexual identity or gender identity, but because they so often face mistreatment and stigma in society.
How Can We Protect Our LGBTQ+ Youth?
Create a community of belonging: Take action to understand and support LGBTQ+ identities and advocate for them. Help create space where LGBTQ+ youth can express their identity without fear of discrimination or rejection. Community groups like pRYEde provide visible support through education and advocacy. Another comprehensive resource is www.trevorproject.org.
Increase awareness of the effects of bullying: Talk with your children about the impact bullying has on their peers. Do not assume your children know how you feel. Sixty percent of LGBTQ+ youth reported being bullied during the past year. Those who experienced bullying had suicide attempt rates more than triple those who weren’t bullied.
Reduce stigma and discrimination: More than half of LGBTQ+ youth reported experiencing discrimination based on their sexual or gender identity during the past year. This ongoing stress of stigma, rejection, and discrimination heightens the risk of suicidal ideation and erodes mental health.
Support your child’s/grandchild’s/relative’s sexual and gender identity: Youth exposed to family rejection are eight times more likely to attempt suicide compared to youth with accepting families. Seek counseling support if you, as a caregiver, are struggling.
Support laws that explicitly protect LGBTQ+ youth: Your vote affects a young person’s mental wellness. Ninety-one percent of young LGBTQ+ New Yorkers reported that recent politics negatively affected their well-being. States that have laws protecting LGBTQ+ youth see an 18 percent lower suicide attempt rate compared to states without. Visible pride symbols and events in one’s community also lower suicide risk. You can purchase supporting items, including a flag as symbolic support, on www.pryede.org.
Lisa Dominici is executive director of The Rye Youth Council, an organization that specializes in the social and emotional health of young people in Rye.
