Work

The Role of Help‐Seeking in Preventing Suicide Attempts among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: One possible approach to prevention of suicide attempts is to encourage help-seeking among individuals at risk. We assessed whether different forms of treatment were associated with lower odds of a suicide attempt in a diverse group of 388 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults aged 18-59, sampled from New York City venues. Of individuals who attempted suicide, 23% sought mental health or medical treatment and 14% sought religious or spiritual treatment prior to the suicide attempt. Black and Latino LGBs were underrepresented in mental health or medical treatment and Black LGBs were overrepresented in religious or spiritual treatment. Seeking mental health or medical treatment was not associated with lower odds of a suicide attempt; seeking religious or spiritual treatment was associated with higher odds of a suicide attempt. We discuss these results and posit hypotheses for further research of this understudied topic.

Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior

DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12104

Authors: Ilan H. Meyer, Merilee Teylan, Sharon Schwartz

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Williams Institute, Harvard University, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health