What’s New in Psychology
New Study to Target Suicide Risks Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Jim Windell
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people between ages 10 and 24. However, according to the Office of Justice Programs, LGBTQ+ youth are particularly at risk for suicide.
Why do young people in juvenile detention centers face suicide rates significantly higher than their peers?
The answer, again according to the U.S. Office of Justice Programs, is because youth in detention are isolated, their mental health conditions often go untreated, and there are systemic barriers to care. And LGBTQ+ youth in public systems, such as foster care and juvenile detention, experience even greater odds due to compounding factors like stigma, discrimination and mistrust of providers.
With this in mind, a new Case Western Reserve University research project aims to address the troubling disparity in suicide rates. The goal, says Dana Prince, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, is to pair these young people with affirming peer mentors who can help them navigate barriers to care and connect with needed services. The study will test an innovative approach to better identify and support these youth. The approach, called Youth Empowerment & Safety (YES), combines new screening and referral processes with trained peer support specialists who share similar life experiences.
A new $768,000, three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health will pilot the YES program at two Cleveland sites: the Juvenile Justice Early Intervention and Diversion Center and Frontline Services, a community mental health agency. These organizations regularly interact with LGBTQ+ youth but currently lack tailored support programs.
“LGBTQ+ youth in public systems face overwhelming challenges, yet their unique needs are often overlooked,” Prince says. “With YES, we’re not just addressing gaps in care – we’re creating a model for how systems can do better. These young people deserve services that affirm their identities and help them feel safe and supported.”
By focusing on both system-wide practices and individual outcomes, Prince’s team hopes to reduce stigma, improve service engagement, and, ultimately, save lives.
“Peer support is a powerful tool,” Prince explains, adding that she’s joined in the initiative by the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland and Colors+ and several youth advocates. “When young people feel seen and understood, it can make all the difference.”
If successful, the YES model could be adopted by public systems nationwide, offering an affordable and effective way to address youth suicide, Prince said.
To learn more about this project, contact Colin McEwen, Director of National Media Relations, University Marketing and Communications at Case Western Reserve University at [email protected].
