Abstract
Abstract.Background: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) have heightened risk of suicidality; yet, we know little about their experiences when utilizing crisis services. Aims: The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics and experiences of SGMY when in contact with SGMY-specific suicide crisis services. Method: Data were from 592 SGMY who contacted the most widely utilized national US SGMY-specific crisis services provider. Results: High rates of suicide ideation (65.2%) and attempts (31.9%) were documented, with gender minority youth endorsing higher rates of suicide attempts. Participants contacted the center by phone (57.8%) more than by online chat/text (42.2%). Participants reported discussing their sexual orientation (60.6%), gender identity (43.8%), and identity disclosure stress (56.6%) with counselors. Participants rated the crisis service as helpful. The counselors were perceived as warm, compassionate, and knowledgeable about common concerns for SGMY and they were likely to contact the crisis center again. Participants reported using chat/text over phone because it provided them with more confidentiality and privacy; however, phone contacts were rated more positively than text/chat. Limitations: The sample was predominately White and was not representative of the broader population of SGMY, limiting the generalizability of the results. Conclusion: SGMY reported positive experiences with a national SGMY-specific crisis service. The findings highlight the critical need for and utility of SGMY-specific suicide prevention crisis services.
References
1999). Suicide ideation at its worst point: A predictor of eventual suicide in psychiatric outpatients. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 29(1), 1–9. 10.1111/j.1943-278X.1999.tb00758.x
(2018). Estimating the risk of attempted suicide among sexual minority youths: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(12), 1145–1152. 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2731
(2019). Is there a need for LGBT-specific suicide crisis services? Crisis, 40(3), 203–208. 10.1027/0227-5910/a000542
(2007). An evaluation of crisis hotline outcomes Part 2: Suicidal callers. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37(3), 338–352. 10.1521/suli.2007.37.3.338
(2009). Healthcare preferences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(3), 222–229. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.01.009
(2019). Transgender identity and experiences of violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual risk behaviors among high school students – 19 states and large urban school districts, 2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68(3), 67–71. 10.15585/mmwr.mm6803a3
(2018). Youth risk behavior surveillance – United States, 2017. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 67(8), 1–114. 10.15585/mmwr.ss6708a1
(2016). Clients' perceptions of their psychotherapists' multicultural orientation: Cultural (missed) opportunities and cultural humility. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(1), 30–37. 10.1037/pro0000046
(2011). The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale: Initial validity and internal consistency findings from three multisite studies with adolescents and adults. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(12), 1266–1277. 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10111704
(2019). Suicide prevention and psychology: A call to action. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 50(1), 1–10. 10.1037/pro0000209
(2012). Unmet health and mental health need among adolescents: The roles of sexual minority status and child-parent connectedness. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(4), 473–481. 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01182.x
(