Supporting Gay Youth as a Way to Prevent Suicide

By Tristan Gorrindo, MD



Coming out of the closet is one of the hardest things that a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person will do.

“Coming out,” is the process of revealing to friends, parents, family members, and acquaintances that he or she is gay. It is more that just a simple act or decision to announce that a person is gay, but rather a process that unfolds overtime, usually in small steps. For many people, it involves telling one person, then a group of friends or family members, then classmates or co-workers, and finally the world at large. But for each person, the journey is different and often filled with emotional ups and downs.

Recent events in the national media have highlighted the issues surrounding coming out and youth suicide. By some estimates, as many as nine gay youth died by suicide since September 1, 2010. Government officials and celebrities have publicly referred to this as a national crisis.



Many population scientists have tried to understand why gay teens are at such high risk for suicide -- by some estimates 7 times the national average for their age. And although there are many possible contributors to what might make a gay teen suicidal, we must first remember that all teens, gay and straight alike, are struggling with basic questions about self-identity.



A friend of mine once described being a teenager is like, “being at a costume ball where the costumes and guests are constantly changing.” As part of normal teenage development, teens are “trying on” different roles, different groups of friends, and even different kinds of dress. It is a time when teens are first experimenting with the idea of romantic relationships and at the same time trying to separate from their parents. Gay teens have the added burden of sorting out the confusing, often negative messages from the culture about what it means to be gay. When these ingredients mix -- unsure sense of self-identify, novice experience with romance, trying to separate from one’s parents, and fear of what it means to be gay -- gay teens run the risk of feeling quite isolated and alone.



Regardless of one’s personal views of homosexuality, I think we can all agree on the importance of supporting our youth during difficult times. The American Psychiatric Association is committed to reducing the stigma around homosexuality and to promoting the psychological health of gay, straight, and bisexual individuals.



We owe it to our teens to make sure that they know that coming out is not a process that they have to go through alone. A wide variety of resources exist, from grass-roots YouTube videos which offer gay teens hope, as in The Make It Better Project, to 24-hour suicide hotline for gay teens offered through The Trevor Project. Additionally, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts. The Healthy Minds website is a source of clear factual information on sexual orientation. And let us not forget the parents that may also be struggling with how to help their gay child; for them there is support and advice offered through PFLAG.

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Posted in: gay/lesbian/bisexual,getting help,LGBT,parenting,sexual orientation,stigma,suicide prevention,teens,Tristan Gorrindo MD

Mental Health Disparities – Focus on Asian Americans

By Felicia Wong, M.D.

The Office of Minority and National Affairs (OMNA) is a group within the American Psychiatric Association that works to promote diversity and cultural competence and to eliminate disparities in mental health care. They published a report on Asian Americans and Mental Health that revealed some troubling statistics.











photo courtesy Bjoern Kommerell








• While the overall prevalence rate of mental illness is similar or somewhat lower among Asian Americans than whites, Asian Americans are significantly less likely to use mental health services than other populations.


• Asian Americans are much less likely than whites to report mental health problems to friends or relatives, psychiatrists or other mental health specialists, or to physicians. It has been postulated that shame and stigma figure prominently in the lower utilization rates of Asian American/Pacific Islander (AA/PI) communities.


• AA/PI’s often consider expression of mental illness a personal weakness and are more likely than Westerners to express emotional distress through physical symptoms.


• The suicide rates of elderly Asian American women and young Asian American women (15‐24 years old) are significantly higher than that of other women of the same ages.

In an attempt to address the barriers to mental health care that pertain to the Asian American community, I created a website http://www.asianmentalwellness.com/ which I hope will dispel some of the misconceptions that the AA/PI community may have about mental health, and will provide information and links that will help raise awareness about the importance of mental health and wellness. Please share this website with those who you feel might find it useful.

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Posted in: Asian American,Felicia Wong MD,stigma,suicide prevention

How to Help Someone Who Refuses Help for a Mental Illness: Tips for Family Members and Friends

By Molly McVoy, M.D.



What do I do if my husband won’t listen to me? My mom? My friend? My daughter? I hear this question all the time. Someone recognizes the possibility of depression, anxiety, ADHD in a friend or relative, but the other person just doesn’t see it. They refuse to go see someone for help. What do you do?

You keep talking to them. It is quite common for individuals to be unaware of a mental health problem they may have or to actively deny that such a problem exists. Sometimes it takes hearing it for the tenth or even the 100th time before someone listens and seeks care. Even though you may feel you’re not being heard, you may be the one person who’s willing to plant the seed and start that person thinking about getting help.



Finally, you’re not alone. If you are worried someone in your family or group of friends is seriously ill, at risk of hurting themselves or hurting someone else, call for help. Most cities in the United States have a 24 hour suicide hotline, and nationally, you can call 1-800-suicide. There are people trained to help you with this, even if your friend or family member won’t call, you can and start the journey towards mental health.

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Posted in: mental illness,Molly McVoy MD,suicide prevention

Cyberbullying: How do you Protect Children from Online Bullies?

By Roberto Blanco, M.D.

With the proliferation of cellular phones and social networking sites, bullying as we once knew it has been changed forever. Gone are the days where the classic nickname pasted on the back or intimidation on the playground were the main forms of peer-to-peer humiliation. Cellular phones with texting and Internet capabilities have allowed adolescents to bully and intimidate their peers at all hours of the day and night. In fact, this type of bullying can begin as early as elementary school.

The meaning and value of friendships and relationships has also been changed. If adolescence wasn´t bad enough, gossip, secrets, and fallouts from former relationships are being broadcast online for all to see. In addition, several high-profile teen suicides have highlighted the importance of educating children about how to protect themselves from cyberbullying and the vicissitudes of the social networking world.

An article in The New York Times identified some of the challenges surrounding cyberbullying, including the roles and responsibilities of children, parents, the schools, and the legal system. The article raises more questions than it provides answers. It makes it clear, however, that children need to be educated about how to prevent cyberbullying, what to do if they are being bullied, and how to use digital media responsibly. Here are some ideas for you and your child to prevent or manage cyberbullying:

• Talk to your children about cyberbullying as they are getting a cell phone or a social networking account. Explain the warning signs of cyberbullying for themselves and towards others. They should have had a firm lesson in the golden rule and how they should be treated and treat others.

• Discuss with your children how to protect themselves from cyberbullying. They should only “friend” actual friends and not just acquaintances on social networking sites. They should not post or send via cell phone anything that they would not want everyone to see. ´Sexting´or the sending of nude photos is strictly prohibited and talk to them about the possible consequences of this type of behavior. Let them know that any photos posted on the Internet, stay on the Internet.

• Monitor your child´s behavior on cell phones and online through frequent conversations. If you think that they may be in danger, you may need to increase the amount of monitoring by getting account passwords or using random cell phone checks.

• Discuss who they can talk to if they are being bullied – parents, a trusted teacher, counselor, or a responsible friend. Adolescents are often wary of talking to parents about this for fear of overreaction, so give them other good options.

• If bullying continues to be a problem, problem-solve with your child. Consider talking to the bullies' parents, school administrators, or if severe enough, to the legal system or law enforcement. Consider changing cell phone numbers or closing accounts.

• If your child is doing the bullying or using the cell phone or social networking account inappropriately after re-direction, consider taking away the cell phone or closing social networking accounts. While there are many positives to this type of technology, remember that it is a privilege and not a right.

For more information, check out the National Crime Prevention Council and http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/. Read more about bullying on HealthyMinds.org. 

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Posted in: bullying,cell phones,children,cyberbully,internet safety,parenting,Roberto Blanco MD,suicide prevention

But not my kid!

By R. Scott Benson, M.D.



A recent study by the Jed Foundation and the American Psychiatric Foundation showed that most parents of college age children understand that there is a high rate of depression, suicide, and substance abuse problems in college.



“But not my kid!” Nearly two-thirds thought these problems would not affect their children.



Surveys of college students show that most experience important mental health issues in themselves or a friend. And other studies have shown that emotional problems are a leading impediment to college success.



Now that the excitement of senior trips and graduation has settled families are putting the finishing touches on a transition plan as their teenager moves to the excitement of higher education. Most families have discussed the obvious needs – a place to live, what courses to take, how to pay for all of it. But families should take time to discuss the possibility of problems and how to get help.



Since this new territory is fraught with emotional pitfalls the American Psychiatric Foundation has teamed with the Jed Foundation to develop a website of information that will provide a framework for this important discussion. Transition Year has material to help parents and teens learn the warning signs of problems. And systematically collect contact information preparing for the situation where help is needed. The site has collected links to reliable sources of information about psychiatric conditions that are often seen in college age youth.



The site would be useful to families who are still considering their child’s college options. An entire section on “Choosing a school” provides guidance on important issues to explore in order to find a best fit.



Of course in some communities the choice is simple. Go, Gators!

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Posted in: college,family,parenting,R Scott Benson MD,suicide prevention,teens

Suicide Prevention – What You Should Know

By Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D.



More Americans die as a result of suicide than from homicide. What can you do to minimize the risk of suicide for your family and friends? I was recently interviewed by US News and World Report on this important topic.



The vast majority of people who die by suicide have depression, chemical dependency or another underlying psychiatric condition – all of which are treatable. My advice to people is not to suffer in silence, but to seek treatment.



And, if your loved one appears depressed, encourage him or her to get professional help. If someone expresses thoughts about hurting themselves, take this seriously. If a person has chest pain, you take them to an ER to be evaluated by a physician. If a person has suicidal thoughts – they should also receive a careful evaluation and treatment.



Over the years, I have had the opportunity to treat people who attempted suicide but fortunately were not successful. These people have an important perspective in common: with treatment, once their depression lifted or once they began to recover from chemical dependency, they were thankful to be alive and happy that their suicide attempt was unsuccessful. The key point is that with help, there’s hope. And with help we can prevent the tragedy of a suicide.



If You or Someone You Know Is in Crisis and Needs Immediate Help

• Call your physician’s office.


• Call 911 for emergency services.


• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.


• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).


• Ask a family member or friend to help you make these calls or take you to the hospital.

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Posted in: getting help,suicide prevention

Am I Alone?

by Gariane Phillips Gunter, M.D.

















Am I Alone? by Megan Hance



I get a funny feeling, it comes from deep inside.



I get all mad and angry, wanting to go and hide.



My doctor calls it depression, my dad says it's just me.



But the thoughts and feelings, no one will ever be able to see.



Some say I'm psycho, some say I'm just weird.



It's like I'm a different person, and the old me just disappeared.



I get really edgy, I want to commit suicide real bad.



Then I get a headache, followed by feeling sad.



I wish I could get help, I wish it would go away.



Maybe if I keep praying real hard, it will some day.





I came across this poem and think that the author does a beautiful job of describing the stigma often experienced by those with mental illnesses. The holiday season can be a particularly difficult time as symptoms of depression and anxiety may flare, and feelings of hopelessness creep in.



If you feel yourself slipping away, please contact your doctor or a friend and get help right away. Receive the gift of treatment that everyone deserves. I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas.

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Posted in: anxiety,depression,getting help,suicide prevention