Suicide in Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Adults: Epidemiologic Trends & Strategies for Prevention

Suicide is among the top ten leading causes of death in the United States, with over 40,000 Americans ending their lives each year. After a brief discussion of data limitations on sexual and gender identity, this presentation will provide an overview of the recent data on suicide rates and risk among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults. It will also discuss how risk of suicide among LGB adults differs by gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Following the discussion of epidemiologic trends, the presentation will review evidence-based approaches for reducing suicide risk, ranging from public policies to clinical practices. It will end with a discussion on clinical and research priorities to strengthen suicide prevention for LGB adults.