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  Suicide Prevention We are committed to serving the Transgender community  Public Health - Seattle & King County 999 3rd Ave., Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98104 Transgender Health Suicide and self-harm
Both suicide attempts and completed suicides are common in transgendered persons. Studies generally report a pre-transition suicide attempt rate of 20% or more, with MTFs relatively more likely to attempt suicide than FTMs. There is some evidence that transsexual people are less likely to attempt suicide once they have completed the transition to the other sex.
Another form of self-harm in transgendered persons is genital mutilation. This is most common among transsexuals, although cross-dressers have done this as well. A 1984 study of a cohort of transgendered individuals who applied for services at gender identity clinics reported genital mutilation by 9% of the biologic males and breast mutilation was attempted by 2% of the biologic females. Suicide and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender. Suicide is almost always a desperate act by someone who feels helpless and hopeless. Suicidal feelings and thoughts are a frequent symptom of depression. As a society, we feel shocked and questioning when someone we know kills herself or himself. We feel that we want to do whatever we can to prevent another such tragedy.
It has been only relatively recent that there has been recognition that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth (generally defined as ages 15-24) are at an increased risk of suicide compared to other youth. A growing body of research literature has provided the estimate that gays, lesbians, and bisexual youth attempt suicide at a rate 2-3 times higher than their heterosexual peers. Some studies indicate that the rate of attempted suicide for transgender youth is higher than 50%. Suicide Statistics
for
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Suicide
Statistics;
30% Youth ages between 15 - 24
21% Young Adults ages 24 - 45
10% Adults ages 45 - 65
13% Elderly ages 65 - and Over
74% Across the board all LGBT associated suicides.
Due to some of the youth population, that has not come out, the statistics calculated in this report could be even higher.
Suicides for 65 and over, are calculated on gay men only. Written by Kevin Caruso. Copyright Kevin Caruso. All Rights Reserved." If You are Suicidal...
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If you or someone you know is in immediate danger
because of thoughts of suicide
Please call 911 now
If you are not in the U.S., please call your local emergency number.
There is help for you. Stay on the phone with the operator and wait for help to arrive. Do not hesitate to call. Your life is extremely valuable, and people care about you. Please reach out for help. Never act on your thoughts of suicide. Never.
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If you are not in immediate danger because of thoughts of suicide, but need someone to talk with about your suicidal feelings, please do not hesitate to call one of the following national suicide prevention lines:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Suicide Prevention Lines
You may call these suicide prevention numbers from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day. People are waiting to help you. Call a suicide prevention number right now if you need to. And always remember that it is never okay to act on your thoughts of suicide. Never. Again, call a suicide prevention number now if you need to.
Never act on your thoughts of suicide.
Suicide is never the answer.
Getting help is the answer.
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If you do not need to call any of the suicide prevention numbers above, then please read on...
Welcome, my friend, you are not alone. I am very pleased that you are here. And let me remind you that there is nothing more important than your life. Nothing.
My name is Kevin Caruso, and I have been working with suicidal people for over 30 years; and I have been firmly dedicated to suicide prevention, awareness, and support, so please let me share my experience with you. The first thing that I want you to know is that virtually every person that I have worked with who attempted suicide, and survived, was glad that they lived. So the emotions that were causing the suicidal feelings did pass. Things got better; the sun did come out. So, let me extend that hope to you.
If you are in intense emotional and/or physical pain, remember that your judgment is being clouded by that pain. If you are considering suicide, you are trying to end that pain. Please do not confuse ending your pain with ending your life. The two are very different.
Let me also tell you that if you are suicidal, you probably are suffering from clinical depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, postpartum depression, PTSD, or something similar. And if you have something along these lines, you actually have a chemical imbalance in your brain -- and you cannot possibly think straight because of it. That is beyond your control. You are not weak. You just need some treatment. This imbalance can occur for several reasons, from genetics to a traumatic life experience, and it is extremely common for people to have this imbalance, so do not feel like you are alone. You are not.
This imbalance may be rectified in several ways, but first you need to be assessed so that the cause may be understood. I would request that you please go to a medical doctor.
The doctor can determine if there is a secondary problem (such as a thyroid problem) that is causing the imbalance. If so, an appropriate medication may be prescribed to you. Next, you should visit a therapist. This will allow another assessment to occur and will also allow you to begin talking about your feelings. If the therapist determines that you need a prescription, he or she may refer you to someone who may assist you in that area.
Please leave the option open for taking medication. Some people erroneously believe that they can simply use will power to control their suicidal feelings. The problem with this thinking is that, again, there is probably a chemical imbalance in the brain. And that needs to be treated with medicine. So let me ask you this, my friend. If you had a broken leg, would you get treatment or would you just keep walking on it, writhing in pain, and trying to convince yourself that you just needed will power to overcome the pain? You would get treatment, and you would do so immediately. You would not even think twice about it. And I would most respectfully submit to you that your situation is similar. If you are diagnosed with clinical depression, or something similar, then there is a physical cause for your condition. And you need to seek treatment immediately. It is not just emotion. Please understand this, my friend. The brain, after all, is an organ. And sometimes needs treatment.
If you cannot afford to see a doctor or therapist, please seek out some clinics that have reduced rates. There are many affordable places to go. You can call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to get listings for clinics in your area. Do not hesitate to call. You can also check in your phone book.
After your initial assessment, you will need to see a therapist long enough to work through all of the issues that are bothering you. Do not be in a hurry -- things will get better. You may feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster ride, but those ups and downs will level out.
My friend, thank you so very much for being here. It means a lot to me because the mere fact you are here indicates that you are reaching out, and that you really do want to live. So, I want you to do something else that is very important. Please make a commitment to stay alive. To not die by suicide, no matter what. Make this commitment for all of the people who care for you, and for yourself. Remember that if you try to end your pain by ending your life, you will start a world of pain for the loved ones that you leave behind. And you will deprive yourself of many wonderful things that you have yet to experience. Thank you for making that commitment.
Now, my friend, I have told you the things that you should do. So, please get started. Please make an appointment right now to see a doctor and a therapist. If you can't do it now, do it as soon as possible. I care about you very much, and I love you very much, so I want you to get better as soon as possible.
One final thing. Relax. That's right. Relax. Take some deep breaths and do something that you enjoy that relaxes you. Take a bath. Go for a walk. Listen to some nice music. Just take it easy. And engage in these activities that relax you on a regular basis. And let me tell you, my friend, you are on your way. On your way to a better life
Always remember that there are phone numbers that you can call
24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
from any location in the United States:
1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433)
1-800-273-TALK
(1-800-273-8255)
Take care of yourself, and take action now. Your life is extremely important.
And do not forget the commitment that we made together, that you will not end your life -- that you will never, ever, under any circumstances end your life.
You are awesome!
You are a great person!
And I love you!
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
Suicide.org
Founder, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief
 Kevin Caruso Disclaimer: Kevin Caruso provides Suicide.org for information purposes only, on an "as is" basis, and disclaims all warranties and liability related to any information or advice contained on any part of the Suicide.org website. Suicide.org is not intended to diagnose or treat suicidal individuals. Anyone who is acutely suicidal should call 911 now and receive help form trained mental health professionals. Written by Kevin Caruso. Copyright Kevin Caruso. All Rights Reserved. Listed on June 26, 2007 |
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