U.S. LGBTQ youth who experienced conversion therapy and attempted suicide 2020

Around 27 percent of U.S. LGBTQ youth who had experienced conversion therapy had attempted suicide within the previous 12 months as of 2020, compared to 12 percent of LGBTQ youth who had not experienced conversion therapy. The statistic illustrates the share of LGBTQ youth in the U.S. who attempted suicide within the past 12 months as of 2020, by experience with conversion therapy.

LGBTQ youth and suicide

LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for suicide due to increased stress due to living as part of a stigmatized minority, as well as isolation from family and peers and victimization. As of 2020, half of transgender and non-binary youth in the U.S. had considered suicide within the past year, compared to around one third of cisgender youth. Moreover, the proportion of suicide attempts amongst LGBTQ youth was considerably greater among those who had experienced pressure from others to change their sexuality or gender identity, as well as among those who reported that others failed to respect their personal pronouns.

Reducing suicide risk

Increasing social support and building resilience are key protective factors in reducing suicide risk among anyone struggling with mental health challenges such as suicidal ideation and behaviors. Acceptance and inclusion are especially important for groups experiencing minority stress and stigmatization, such as LGBTQ youth. For example, attempted suicides were reported to be lower among LGBTQ youth with LGBTQ-affirming spaces in their lives, including at school, home, place of employment, and community. Despite increased awareness and social acceptance, there is still a ways to go in the U.S.: in 2018, although around one quarter of LGBTQ youth felt they could be themselves at home, nearly half reported that their family has made them feel negative about being LGBTQ.