Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
As celebrations for Pride Month conclude, national data shows that living in accepting communities can prevent harm for LGBTQ+ young people.
In Ohio, gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are nearly 3 times more likely to report a suicide attempt in the past 12 months, with one in five (20%) gay, lesbian, and bisexual high school students reporting that they attempted suicide in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey. However, national data from the Trevor Project shows that LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those who live in very unaccepting communities.
The Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s (HPIO) 2024 Health Value Dashboard includes an equity profile for LGBTQ+ Ohioans. The Dashboard details how homophobia and transphobia are primary drivers of poor outcomes experienced by LGBTQ+ Ohioans of all ages. Experiencing discrimination can cause toxic stress, leading to poor health outcomes over time. Thus, LGBTQ+ Ohioans often experience worse outcomes than heterosexual and/or cisgender Ohioans across measures of health and social well-being. Policies and practices that limit access to necessary healthcare and a lack of protections for Ohioans based on sexual orientation and gender identity contribute to worse health outcomes for LGBTQ+ people compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender peers.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released a statement announcing that specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth who call the 988 national suicide prevention hotline will no longer be in operation starting Thursday, July 17.
There are evidence-informed strategies that Ohio leaders can adopt to improve health disparities for LGBTQ+ Ohioans. By collecting data about the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring access to developmentally appropriate care, improving provider education, and including sexual orientation and gender identity in anti-discrimination laws, Ohio can create more accepting communities and close gaps in health outcomes for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org 24/7 for free and confidential support. The Trevor Project operates a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline for the LGBTQ+ community at 1.866.488.7386 (or text START to 678-678) and the Trans Lifeline suicide hotline operates Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1.877.565.8860.