A call for help every 45 seconds: Stars fight for LGBTQ hotline!

A call for help every 45 seconds: Stars fight for LGBTQ hotline!

In the USA, the financing of the LGBTQ+suicide hotline is on the brink, which could have worrying consequences for queer adolescents. According to vienna.at an LGBTQ+youth in the age of 13 to celebrate suicide tries to commit suicide. This alarming statistics emphasize the urgency to secure the resources for supportive services such as the hotline. Prominent personalities, including Ariana Grande and Paris Hilton, have spoken out publicly for the preservation of the hotline and signed an open letter from the organization "The Trevor Project", which demands additional funds.

The current challenges for the hotline are not isolated. Reports indicate that the funds may be withdrawn, which leads to a worrying trend. As early as 2021, there were an estimated 713,000 attempted suicide in the age group of LGBTQ+youth, whereby 1.8 million of these young people report on suicidal thoughts annually. Around 1.3 million adolescents have been provided by the hotline since 2022, while the Trevor Project accepts half of all calls.

increased suicide risks under LGBTQ+youth

The static data underline that suicide is the second most common cause of death among young people. LGBTQ+youth are particularly at risk and have serious suicidal thoughts than their peers four times more often. These risks are largely due to discrimination and abuse and not to sexual orientation itself, a knowledge that also in the results of the research study of the Zhaw is confirmed.

Research on LGBTQ+youth in the USA has made progress in recent years, both in the data collection and in scientific understanding, such as newsweek.com reports. Nevertheless, there are worrying backwards. The current political situation also affects the financing of LGBTQ research; Hundreds of million dollars of federal funds have been shortened, which exacerbated the existing challenges.

The need for high quality research

A central problem is that qualitative studies are missing that examine the process towards suicide attempts and the perception of these experiences. The study by the ZHAW aims to understand the background and processes of suicide attempts among LGBTQ+youth and young adults. A better understanding can lead to more effective suicide -preventive approaches that sensitize and support not only the young people themselves, but also their environment.

The urgent need for action for the support of LGBTQ+youth is evident. The company must become aware of the multitude of experiences within this group and take appropriate measures to protect the endangered young people and to offer them the help they need. The tragedy of suicide attempts under LGBTQ+youth can only be contained by comprehensive research and ensuring the financing of aid offers.