A study from New York University shows that more teen girls are identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ). Higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among these girls correlate with this increase. 

The journal Educational Researcher published a study. It looked at data from the youth risk behaviour survey by the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers studied trends from the years 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. They examined responses from more than 44,000 high school students.

The results indicated that the percentage of female students identifying as LGBQ rose significantly, increasing from 15% in 2015 to 34% in 2021. At the same time, the number of female students having suicidal thoughts went up from 23% to 29%. The percentage of those planning suicide also increased from 19% to 23%. The percentage of female students who made actual suicide attempts increased from 10% in 2017 to 13% in 2021. 

Joseph Cimpian, a professor at NYU Steinhardt School, discussed the connection between these trends. He stated that the rise in female suicidality does not mean that all female students are becoming more suicidal. Instead, it indicates that a larger number of students are now part of a group that has traditionally faced higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours because of social and structural pressures. 

The study showed that LGBQ females reported higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours than heterosexual females. In 2021, nearly half of LGBQ females thought about suicide, while about one in five heterosexual females did the same. Researchers applied statistical methods to determine the impact of identifying as LGBQ. They found that this was an important reason for the rise in suicidality among teenage girls. 

The study looked at male students and discovered different patterns. The number of males who identify as LGBQ went up a little, from 6% in 2015 to 9% in 2021. There were also minor changes in suicidal behaviour among boys. The trends stayed the same for different racial and ethnic groups, including White students and BIPOC students. 

Experts say it is important to give better support systems to LGBQ youth. Cimpian emphasised the importance of having educational and mental health resources in schools. He said, “These findings show that it is essential to deal with the social and structural pressures that LGBQ youth experience, especially in our schools.” Women who identify as LGBQ from different racial and ethnic backgrounds require educational support to help reduce the risk of suicide. Policymakers and practitioners who want to lower the rate of suicides among females should focus on providing more educational and mental health resources for LGBQ students instead of cutting them, as some recent state bills suggest. 

A study by Mollie McQuillan from the University of Wisconsin-Madison highlights the need to focus on the mental health of LGBQ students. Experts say that suicide rates are increasing among teen girls. They are calling for immediate action to help this vulnerable group.