Teenage girls could be at a higher risk of suicide, and stress related to sexual identity could be the primary contributing factor.
The threat comes as there is an alarming rise in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teen girls that have recently made headlines in the United States. Many experts argue that social media, bullying, and COVID-19 are potential new sources of stress among young ones.
Stress Related to Sexual Identity
However, there is another well-known source of stress that is believed to be affecting more teenage girls now compared to a decade ago that may have been overlooked amid the recent developments: stress related to sexual identity.
While other scholars focused on education policy, a group conducted research that showed the increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teenage girls corresponds with a significant rise in the number of female high school students who identify as LGBQ.
Read more: 7 Signs Your Child Might Need Help
Some LGBQ youth grow up surrounded by supportive people, but the group's findings suggest an increasing number of others are experiencing a double bind. This is a communication dilemma in which an individual receives two or more mutually conflicting messages, according to The Conversation.
A lot of teenage girls right now believe that it is safe for them to "come out" because of greater access to information as well as the increased visibility of LGBTQ people in American society. However, the idea of coming out earlier in life could also expose youths to discrimination and social stress within their communities, families, and schools.
Thoughts of Suicide Among Teenage Girls
The stress that teenage girls experience related to their sexual orientation could be seen as a contributing factor to a greater prevalence of mental health concerns, such as suicide. The group analyzed national data from more than 44,000 U.S. high school students who took the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.
This was done in order to understand the parallel national trends related to rising suicide risk as well as rising LGBQ identification among teenagers. The percentage of high school girls between 2015 and 2021 who identified as LGBQ rose from 15% to 34%, the Caledonian Record reported.
During this period, all females who reported that they thought about committing suicide jumped from 23% to 29%, and those who created a plan to commit suicide rose from 19% to 23%. Roughly 48% of LGBQ females in 2021 considered suicide, which is more than double the 20% of heterosexual females who thought the same.
This data could be alarming to parents of LGBQ teenage girls who could be among those who are thinking of committing suicide. Fortunately, there are some ways for them to help their children manage their thoughts and avoid self exiting.
These include providing them with access to treatment for mental health, physical health, and substance abuse disorders. Additionally, family and community support could be pivotal in helping suicidal teenage girls. Cultural and or religious beliefs that discourage suicide could also be beneficial, as per Newport Academy.
