Why are our graveyards full of rainbows?

Let's do the time warp, again! (Post originally written in 2017 with contributions from Ari Greene)

 The most frequent question I receive about queer youth suicide is about the role of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the problem. I would like to take this opportunity to provide data and context to the problem of youth suicide in Utah.

When working with data related to suicide, it is important to know that it can be difficult to determine whether an injury that caused death was intentional (suicide) or accidental. I question the statements that have been made that say 23 youth died by suicide immediately following Nov 5. I wonder whether the reported increase in LGBTQIA+ youth suicide deaths is because the issue is getting more attention, so more people are feeling comfortable coming forward and admitting their child's death was a suicide. In addition to the statistics related to deaths by suicide, information exists regarding rates of experiences of suicidal thoughts, creating a suicide plan, and attempting to take one’s life.

Fact: Utah’s suicide rate has tripled since 2007. Suicide rates have been increasing nationwide.

Fact: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supported Proposition 8 in California in the 2008 election.

Fact: Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in 2008.

Fact: Fears over potential restrictions on gun sales resulted in increased purchase of firearms.

Fact: Self-inflicted gunshot wounds are the most violent means by which people attempt suicide. People who attempt to take their life with a firearm are least likely to survive their attempt.

Fact: Suicide is the leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10-17.

We cannot prove the relationship between the above facts: I cannot say whether Proposition 8 (and the role religious institutions and leaders played in it) has increased deaths by suicide. I also cannot say whether the election of President Barack Obama caused an increase in suicide deaths.

Every two years, the State of Utah conducts the SHARP Survey of youth in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. In the month of September 2017, the State of Utah released the updated SHARP Survey Results Reports. This report provides crucial information to pair with the above facts. Deaths by suicide have gone up, but suicide attempts, suicide plans, and suicidal ideation are not following the same trends.

Between 2015 and 2017, the rate of suicidal ideation increased 5 points for High School Seniors. Ideation for 8th and 10th grade went down slightly, and up slightly for 6th graders.

Suicide planning for 6th, 8th, and 10th grades hasn't changed much since 2013, but it has gone up significantly (4.6%) for High School Seniors.

Suicide attempts for 6th and 8th graders are also down since 2013, but went up significantly for 10th and 12th graders.

Symptoms of depression went down for 6th and 10th graders, but went up significantly (3.5%) and (7.5%) for 8th and 12th graders, respectively.

2,380 youth in Salt Lake County, and 7,467 youth statewide indicated they are feeling sad, hopeless, or suicidal, but only 13-20% felt comfortable talking to ANY adult about it. High School Seniors were the MOST likely to talk to someone, 8th graders were the least.

Death by suicide is never caused by just one factor. It is not an exclusive result of bullying or any other negative experience. Solving suicide is not any one organization’s job-it’s a whole community problem that demands a whole community response. 

I worry placing strong or exclusive blame on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for our teen suicide problem in Utah is too narrow in scope and is a disservice to the youth currently at risk of suicide. It creates a risk that folks who don’t identify themselves with the LDS church or don’t support the Church’s stance on LGBTQ issues may feel justified in considering themselves absolved from participating in the quest for an actual solution to our teen suicide crisis. Suicide is bigger than that. The solution is more complex than denouncing a particular religion or policy one may find abrasive. The best solution is to work together to create the complex web of resources and support that our teens need, whether in or out of the Church. We cannot afford to allow our focus to stray from our shared concern for the wellbeing of our youth, by getting side tracked in a political or religious debate.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide, please reach out for support.

I can also conduct a 1 hour QPR training upon request. QPR consists of three life-saving skills. How to:

Question...a person about suicide

Persuade… the person to get help

Refer…the person to the appropriate resource

QPR is designed to help you help someone who may be considering suicide.

Other Resources:

Trevor Project

If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at 866-488-7386. Trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. 

thetrevorproject.org

Trans Lifelife877-565-8860

https://www.translifeline.org/

Crisis Hotline by and for the transgender community.

1-800-273-Talk (National Suicide Prevention Crisis Line)

741-741 (text crisis line)

SafeUT app (download on Android and Apple Phones)

Utah MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team)

(801) 587-3000