Social Environment and Suicide Prevention in LGBT Youth

On Monday, the Los Angeles Times covered a recent study in the journal Pediatrics that found that LGBT youth are at much higher risk for attempting suicide than their heterosexual peers (22% vs 5%). We have known this for a long time. However, this study offers new information about how the social environment contributes to this risk. A supportive, positive environment (such as schools with anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies and gay/straight alliances) was significantly associated with fewer suicide attempts among LGBT youth. In fact, these supportive environments were also associated with fewer suicide attempts among heterosexual youth.

Supportive environments in schools may reflect the broader supportive environments of the communities in which these youth live. As part of a broad, multi-level approach to suicide prevention, it is important to consider community - and school-level policies and programming - that will lend to a more supportive enviroment for LGBT youth.

For more information on suicide prevention for LGBT youth, visit: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

New guidelines released today for reporting on suicide

New guidelines for journalists reporting on suicide were released today as a combined effort of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE). This report and other information is available at http://reportingonsuicide.org/.

According to SAVE executive director Dan Reidenberg, "Research shows that one of the best ways to prevent suicide is through safe media reporting. So in developing these recommendations, it was vital to work not only with suicide prevention experts, but also journalists to create a useful, straightforward tool that reporters and news media organizations can turn to when reporting on suicide."

A primary recommendation of this report is to include suicide warning signs and what to do if you know someone exhibiting any warning sign in these stories. Since the outset of STRIDES, one of our goals has been to increase awareness about suicide prevention. We hope that by reducing the stigma of talking about suicide prevention through media and community-level outreach, individuals who are in need of help will feel more comfortable and supported in doing so.

To see a list of suicide warning signs and suggestions for how you can help, visit their website here: http://reportingonsuicide.org/warning-signs-of-suicide/.

Recap on West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference

Ashley and I had such a wonderful time at the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference. Hundreds of women with unique experiences and backgrounds came to the conference at Plummer Park in West Hollywood to talk about making change and being empowered leaders in our communities.

We sat on a panel titled, "Get Your Passion Off the Ground: Creating Your Own Community Event, Project, or Campaign, " and were joined by a diverse group of women taking leadership within their communities. Other panelists included: Tatum de Roeck (Founder, Hiking Hunnies), Donna Feinstein (Founder, West Hollywood Saturdays in the Park) and Megan Hobza (Founder, Whittier Time Bank). Chenese Lewis was moderator for the panel, and is herself a leader in the community as President of the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women.

It was such a pleasure meeting everyone on the panel, and exciting to talk about STRIDES with a group of motivated and empowered women! Ashley and I were both inspired by the women on the panel, as well as conference attendees we met before and after the panel. We can't wait to get out there and expand the STRIDES program and share the STRIDES message that suicide is preventable!

West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference

Not long after the fall season of STRIDES, Anne and I got an invitation to be panelists at the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference, which is being held this weekend - April 9-10. We feel honored to be a part of this exciting event and will be presenting on a panel titled "Get your passion off the ground: Creating your own community event, project, or campaign." Other panels include learning to be an effective advocate, PR and marketing strategies, and changing careers, among others.

We're not only eager to share lessons learned throughout the development and implementation of STRIDES with dynamic women in our community, but also to learn from others with established programs as we move STRIDES forward next year.

You can register for or learn more about the conference here: West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference. We'll have updates on what we learned and what we shared with other participants next week.