Acceptance Significantly Reduces Suicide Risk for Intersex Youths, Report Finds
February 11, 2022
Research from The Trevor Project found LGBTQ intersex youth are at increased risk for suicide, but feeling accepted by a parent can lower that risk. The study looked at mental health challenges among LGBTQ youth who are intersex—a broad term referring to those with sexual or reproductive anatomy that does not fit the typical definition of male or female. It found higher rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in LGBTQ youth who are intersex compared to LGBTQ youth who are not intersex. However, intersex participants with at least one parent who was accepting of their sexual orientation or gender identity had significantly lower odds of suicide attempt. Based on their findings, The Trevor Project recommends schools and governments adopt policies that are inclusive of those who do not fit within male or female categories. “The best thing that we could do for intersex youth is to be accepting and provide that protective and supportive environment for them,” said Myeshia Price, a senior research scientist at The Trevor Project.
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