Suicide and suicide attempts in the lesbian and gay community.
The most common suicide theories share a widely recognized set of social factors that contribute to suicide and suicide attempts. This paper discusses additional suicide risk factors that affect the gay and lesbian community such as: discrimination, gay adolescence, coming out, establishment of a gay identity, HIV/AIDS, intrapersonal stressors, drugs and alcohol, racial/ethnic factors and limited support structures. Poor awareness of these additional risks, both within mainstream society and within the gay and lesbian community, is also discussed. A review of the literature is conducted that examines the impact of these risk factors and the implications of these issues to mental health nursing.
Millard
J
J
Central Sydney Area Health Service, Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data