Mereish Ethan H, Feinstein Brian A, Mamey Mary Rose, Goldbach Jeremy T
Department of Health Studies, American University, Washington, DC, USA.
Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL, USA.
Crisis. 2022 Mar;43(2):127-134. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000765. Epub 2021 Feb 23.
Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) have heightened risk of suicidality; yet, we know little about their experiences when utilizing crisis services. The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics and experiences of SGMY when in contact with SGMY-specific suicide crisis services. Data were from 592 SGMY who contacted the most widely utilized national US SGMY-specific crisis services provider. High rates of suicide ideation (65.2%) and attempts (31.9%) were documented, with gender minority youth endorsing higher rates of suicide attempts. Participants contacted the center by phone (57.8%) more than by online chat/text (42.2%). Participants reported discussing their sexual orientation (60.6%), gender identity (43.8%), and identity disclosure stress (56.6%) with counselors. Participants rated the crisis service as helpful. The counselors were perceived as warm, compassionate, and knowledgeable about common concerns for SGMY and they were likely to contact the crisis center again. Participants reported using chat/text over phone because it provided them with more confidentiality and privacy; however, phone contacts were rated more positively than text/chat. The sample was predominately White and was not representative of the broader population of SGMY, limiting the generalizability of the results. SGMY reported positive experiences with a national SGMY-specific crisis service. The findings highlight the critical need for and utility of SGMY-specific suicide prevention crisis services.
性取向和性别少数群体青年（SGMY）有更高的自杀风险；然而，我们对他们在使用危机服务时的经历知之甚少。本研究的目的是了解SGMY在接触特定于SGMY的自杀危机服务时的特征和经历。数据来自592名联系了美国使用最广泛的特定于SGMY的危机服务提供商的SGMY。记录显示自杀意念（65.2%）和自杀未遂（31.9%）的发生率很高，其中性别少数群体青年的自杀未遂率更高。参与者通过电话联系该中心的比例（57.8%）高于通过在线聊天/短信（42.2%）。参与者报告称与咨询师讨论了他们的性取向（60.6%）、性别认同（43.8%）和身份披露压力（56.6%）。参与者认为危机服务很有帮助。咨询师被认为热情、富有同情心，并且了解SGMY的常见问题，他们很可能会再次联系危机中心。参与者报告称使用聊天/短信而不是电话，因为这能为他们提供更多的保密性和隐私性；然而，电话联系的评价比短信/聊天更积极。样本主要是白人，不能代表更广泛的SGMY群体，这限制了结果的普遍性。SGMY报告了在全国特定于SGMY的危机服务中有积极的体验。研究结果凸显了特定于SGMY的自杀预防危机服务的迫切需求和效用。
