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Depression Among LGBT Teens

Anna Mayne YooJin Chang

Negative images…

Stand up if you have ever heard someone use any of these terms:

Depression:Depression is a mental disorder that is shown by depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

Symptoms of depression•Lack of sleep/too much sleep•Lack of concentration•Easy tasks become difficult•Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness•Cannot control negative thoughts•Loss of appetite•More irritable and ill-tempered•Suicidal thoughts•Unexplained aches and pains•Loss of energy

LesbianGayBisexualTransgenderQuestioningAllies

Reasons for depression among gay teenagers

•Isolation•Harassment•Bullying•Confusion•Lack of support

FamilyFriendsSchool (counselors, teachers)Church or youth group

•Against ones religion•Gay marriage is illegal•Shame within family or church•Discrimination

Suicide rates

•LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at a 2.6 times greater rate than straight-identified youth.•LGBTQ youth actively plan suicide at a 2.6 times greater rate than straight-identified youth.•LGBTQ youth attempt suicide at a 4.0 times greater rate than straight-identified youth. •LGBTQ youth require medical attention for suicide attempts at a 5.1 times greater rate than straight-identified youth.

As many as 7.2 million Americans under age 20 are As many as 7.2 million Americans under age 20 are lesbian or gay.lesbian or gay.

45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians experience 45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians experience physical or verbal assault in high school; 28% of these physical or verbal assault in high school; 28% of these young people feel forced to drop out of school due to young people feel forced to drop out of school due to harassment based on sexual orientation.harassment based on sexual orientation.

According to Kinsey, 28% of boys and 17% of girls have According to Kinsey, 28% of boys and 17% of girls have one or more same-sex experiences before age 20.one or more same-sex experiences before age 20.

80% of lesbian and gay youths who took part in a 1987 80% of lesbian and gay youths who took part in a 1987 study reported severe isolation.study reported severe isolation.

Every day, 13 Americans ages 15 to 24 commit suicide. Every day, 13 Americans ages 15 to 24 commit suicide. In 1989, suicide was the leading cause of death among In 1989, suicide was the leading cause of death among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youths; 53% gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youths; 53% of transsexual youths surveyed in 1981 had attempted of transsexual youths surveyed in 1981 had attempted suicide. Lesbian and gay youths account for up to 30% suicide. Lesbian and gay youths account for up to 30% of all completed suicides among youths.of all completed suicides among youths.

In December 1993, Massachusetts became the first and In December 1993, Massachusetts became the first and only state in the country to outlaw discrimination only state in the country to outlaw discrimination against lesbian and gay students in public schools.against lesbian and gay students in public schools.

33% of gay men and 34% of 33% of gay men and 34% of lesbians reported suffering lesbians reported suffering physical violence at the hands of a physical violence at the hands of a family member as a result of their family member as a result of their sexual orientation. sexual orientation.

28% of gay and lesbian high school 28% of gay and lesbian high school students in a national study were students in a national study were seen to have dropped out of school seen to have dropped out of school because of harassment resulting because of harassment resulting from their sexual orientation. from their sexual orientation.

80% of lesbians, gay and bisexual 80% of lesbians, gay and bisexual youth reported severe isolation youth reported severe isolation problems. They experienced social problems. They experienced social isolation, emotional isolation and isolation, emotional isolation and cognitive isolation. cognitive isolation.

53% of students report hearing 53% of students report hearing homophobic comments made by homophobic comments made by school staff. school staff.

85% of teachers oppose 85% of teachers oppose integrating lesbian, gay and integrating lesbian, gay and bisexual themes in their curricula. bisexual themes in their curricula.

42% of homeless youth identify as 42% of homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. lesbian, gay or bisexual.

LGBT people are more likely to…•Suffer from substance dependence/abuse•Suffer from alcohol dependence/abuse•Suffer from depression and other mental health illnesses•Commit suicide•Have suicidal thoughts/tendencies•Participate in self harming activities •Experience hate crimes•Get into a fight in schoolDue to the problems in our society that have yet to be fully acknowledged.

There are ways to help.

Resources