Jamie WarehamContributor Diversity & InclusionI report on LGBT life, identities and being queer.
One in three black trans youth have tried to take their life in the last year, according to a new report by the Trevor Project.
It also finds that black transgender and non-binary youth are twice as likely to attempt suicide in comparison to their cisgender black LGBQ peers.
The Trevor Project is a crisis intervention and suicide charity for LGBTQ young people under 25.
Their new report “Black LGBTQ Youth Mental Health” examines the rates of depressed mood, likelihood of being suicidal, and mental health service use among Black LGBTQ youth.
It finds that despite having similar rates of mental health disparities, black LGBTQ youth are less likely to receive professional care.
Black transgender and non-binary youth report double the rate of seriously considering (27% vs 59%) and attempting suicide (15% vs 32%) in the past 12 months compared to cisgender Black LGBQ youth.
While nearly half (47%) of LGBTQ youth overall report getting professional mental health help in the past year, only 4 in ten (39%) of black LGBTQ youth reported having done so. Today In: Leadership
Two thirds (66%) report feeling depressed in the last year while just over a third (35%) reported seriously considering suicide in the past 12 months.
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Myeshia Price-Feeney, PhD a Research Scientist for The Trevor Project finds the rates especially troubling:
“Black LGBTQ youth experience heightened rates of suicidality similar to all LGBTQ youth, but they are accessing professional care at lower rates.
“These troubling findings suggest that existing models of care have failed at providing black LGBTQ youth access to appropriate and acceptable mental health services.
“They underscore the need for culturally competent, community-derived suicide prevention programs.
“We must move past a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to better serve black LGBTQ youth.”
The report follows Trevor Project research that revealed three in 10 young trans people in America have tried to take their life in the last year.
Over 34,000 young LGBTQ people were surveyed for the largest survey of LGBTQ youth mental health ever done for the Trevor Project inaugural National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health this year.
If you’re thinking about suicide, you deserve immediate help. In the U.S. you can call the Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386, or use their text support services.
In the U.K., you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or use the Shout text support services.
Globally, use a search engine and type ‘mental health help’ for local support or call the emergency services if your life is at risk.Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.Jamie Wareham
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
