Gay Teen Suicides Launch Nationwide LGBT Risk Study

A nationwide study by University of Arizona and New York University researchers are looking to identify causes for the high risk for suicide by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in North America.

UA and NYU researchers have received a $2.8 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the study, and over 1,000 LGBT youths ages 15 to 21 are expected to participate, hailing from San Francisco, Calif, Tuscan, Ariz., and NewYork, NY.

“Recruiting for the study starts now,” said Stephen Russell, director of UA’s Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families, “and we will follow up every nine months.”

The study will compare those who are and are not victims of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and will especially focus on representing the Southwest, often underrepresented in such studies.  Read More