GLBT youth at greater risk for depression, suicide attempts

There is a point in the film "Milk" when gay rights activist Harvey Milk laments that three of his four ex-boyfriends tried to take their own lives.

While I don't know the situations surrounding those attempts, suicide was, and still is, hardly unheard of in the GLBT community.

The scene from the movie reverberates with me as I think back to my years in high school. A friend of mine, Josh, was constantly harassed by other students — taunted and, often, outright attacked for being gay.

I don't think he ever came out while he was in high school — yet everyone knew he was gay.

He had a slightly effeminate manner and a passion for style. His smile, from ear to ear, lit up his face.

But he was impulsive — maybe because he was a teenager, maybe because he had a hard time coming to terms with his sexuality. I believe it was the latter.

He lived fast, never thinking of the future. Drinking and drug use were part of daily life since the early days of high school.

The last time I saw Josh, he was the face of a Seattle safe-sex campaign — promoting condom use to fight the spread of HIV.

But the campaign was not how he lived his own life.

He died several years ago of a heroin overdose.

Josh's story, and Harvey Milk's, are not uncommon.

Numerous studies have pointed to the high rate of suicide, depression and risky behaviors in the GLBT community.

But it wasn't until recently that the high rates of depression and suicide attempts were linked to the reactions of parents who have discovered their child is queer.

The process of coming out — especially to one's parents — is not just daunting; in many ways, it's excruciating.

Parents often have expectations for their children — expectations that include watching them grow up, get married and have kids of their own.

Those dreams can be shattered in a single moment: "Mom, Dad. I'm gay."

How a parent reacts to this news, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, affects the offspring, often with detrimental results.

"We've always known that there were a certain percentage of gay youth who were at high risk, but we didn't always know what the factors were," said Dr. Caitlin Ryan, director of the Family Acceptance Project and lead author of the study.

Her study, funded in large part by the California Endowment, measured how parents' and guardians' behaviors that reject the youth's (ages 13 to 19) identity relate to poor mental health, substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors as young adults (ages 21 to 25).

The findings are astounding:

• More than 40 percent of the youths in the study attempted suicide at some point in their lives.

• More than 54 percent reported substance abuse problems.

• More than one in four reported having unprotected sex in the past 6 months.

• More than one in four reported a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease.

• In comparison with straight youths, gay, lesbian and bisexual youths are 8.4 times more likely to report attempting suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to report illegal drug use, and 3.4 times more likely to have unprotected sex.

"This study clearly shows the tremendous harm of family rejection, even if parents think they are well-intentioned, following deeply held beliefs or even protecting their children," said Dr. Sten Vermund, a pediatrician and Amos Christie Chair of Global Health at Vanderbilt University in a news release about the recent report.

Ryan's goal with the report, and others she is working on using the interviews with the GLB youth, was simple:

"I wanted to create a model of care for LGBT adolescents," she said.

Vermund found quite a bit of value in her research.

"When put to practical, day-to-day use and shared with families and those who serve LGBT youth, these findings will lead to healthier, more supportive family dynamics and better lives for LGBT young people," Vermund said.

Aside from pediatricians, who interact on a personal level with GLBT youths, more can be done to strengthen families and ensure positive support for these adolescents.

At school, students often find that support in the form of gay-straight alliance (GSA) groups.

"Although there hasn't been too much parental involvement we have had tons of community support through organizations such as PFLAG, PIPE, Stonewall Youth and LGBT community members," said Aimee Leggett, faculty advisor for Timberline High School's Gay Straight Alliance. "These organizations and individuals have been huge in facilitating support groups, trust-building activities, and networking for our club members outside of the school."

The group is working on a newsletter that, among other things, will offer parents a look at how GSA groups benefit those involved.

The newsletter also provides information for GLBT youths who need outside resources.

"I think that in big part (adolescents) kind of learn about themselves through their parents," said Leggett. "When they are not what their parents expected, it results in a feeling of negative value."

But Leggett adds, "many parents are supportive of their child's sexual identity. I don't want to paint too grim a picture; many of the students in the club are extremely confident, happy, and brave."

Whether it comes from pediatricians or GSA groups, GLBT youths need all the support they can get.

"I like to have a sense of investing in the future," said Ryan of her research. "When we think of investing in our adolescents — that is the future."

That investment is crucial.

I don't want to have to see a friend like Josh be lost.

Ruth Schneider mourns for those who have lost loved ones. Contact her at rschneider@theolympian.com or call 360-704-6873.