GSAs Help Prevent Teen Suicide

 The presence of gay-straight alliance (GSA) groups in schools reduces the risk of suicide among both LGBTQ and straight teens, according to a study published in the International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies and funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. In schools where GSAs existed for three or more years:

• The odds of homophobic discrimination and suicidal thoughts were reduced by more than half among lesbian, gay, bisexual boys and girls compared to schools with no GSA.
• Heterosexual boys and girls suffered significantly less sexual orientation discrimination.
• Heterosexual boys were half as likely to attempt suicide as those in schools without GSAs.

In schools where anti-homophobic policies have been in place for 3+ years:

• Suicidal thoughts and attempts for gay and bisexual boys were more than 70 percent lower. Suicide attempts among lesbian and bisexual girls were two-thirds lower.
• Heterosexual boys had 27 percent lower odds of suicidal thoughts.