LGBT Mormon suicides

In society at large LGBT individuals especially youth are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide[1][2] due to minority stress stemming from societal anti-LGBT biases and stigma, rejection, and internalized homophobia.[3] A 2016 empirical study of LGBT youth suicides in Mormon communities found sufficient evidence pointing to a correlation between Mormon culture, norms, and rhetoric and youth suicide rates in the Mormon community, especially among LGBT youths.[4]:25–26 A 2002 research report found a negative correlation in suicide between LDS Church youth members and nonmember youth in Utah, finding higher levels of religiosity appear to be inversely associated with suicide, though the study does not take into account sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.[5] Other studies have shown that LGBTQ Mormons and former Mormons experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders that are positively correlated with suicidality (such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) than the general population.[6][7][8] One Snowball sampling study of 1,612 LGBT Mormon and former Mormon respondents in 2015 found that involvement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and being single and celibate or engaging in a mixed-orientation marriage are both associated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT individuals.[9] A Nonprobability sampling technique observed Clinically significant symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder related to religious beliefs and experiences at high rates among affiliated and disaffiliated LGBTQ Mormons in the study.[10][11]

See also: Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Suicide among LGBT youth, Timeline of LGBT Mormon history, LGBT Mormon people and organizations, and Sexuality and Mormonism
LGBT Mormon topics
Latter Day Saint movement portal

In January 2016 the LDS Church stated in regards to reported suicides of LGBT Mormons that leaders and members are taught to "reach out in an active, caring way to all, especially to youth who feel estranged or isolated."[12] Affirmation, the largest and oldest continuously run LGBT Mormon organization, reported over 30 LGBT LDS deaths by suicide between 1971 and 2008[13][14] including five gay male BYU students who died by suicide in 1965.[15][16]

Research

Teen suicide rates in Utah and the United States have increased over the past decade.[17] Among Utah youth aged 10–17 who died by suicide during 2011-2015 with circumstances data, approximately 40.4% of decedents with information were identified as being religious, with the majority affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of the 40 cases that included information on the decedent’s sexual orientation, six (15.0%) were identified as sexual minorities.[18]

Studies have shown that LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and LGBT former Latter-day Saints experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders such as PTSD and major depressive disorder than the general population, and these are positively correlated with suicidality. One study of 1,612 LGBT Latter-day Saint and former Latter-day Saint respondents in 2015 found that involvement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and being single and celibate or engaging in a mixed-orientation marriage are both associated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT individuals.[9] Depression has been shown to have a strong positive correlation with suicidal intent.[6] Clinically significant symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder related to their experiences within Mormonism have also been observed at high rates among affiliated and disaffiliated LGBTQ Latter-day Saints,[10][11][19] and PTSD is associated with suicide attempts and ideation.[7][8]

The US Department of Health and Human Services had found in 1989 that nearly 1 of 3 adolescent suicides in the US were by lesbian and gay teens.[20] Another 2001 study found that homosexual teens were 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers with suggestions that higher rates of depression, victimization by bullies, and alcohol use to numb anxiety from hiding ones stigmatized sexual orientation may be causative factors.[20]

Suicide attempts and ideation have been experienced by many LGBT Latter-day Saints. In a 2015 survey of 92 LGBTQ BYU students done by USGA, 52% had at some point considered self-harm.[21] A number of individuals[22][23] and organizations[24] have stated their belief that church teachings against homosexuality and the treatment of LGBT Mormons by other members and leaders has contributed to LGBT Mormon suicides.[25][21][26][27] In the late 90s psychiatrist Jeffery R. Jensen[28] directed his presentations' comments to church leaders and LDS Family Services stating that "far too many of our lesbian and gay youths kill themselves because of what you say about them," and "those who believe your false promises and remain celibate in the hopes of eventual 'cure' are consigned to a misery."[29][30] Soon after, The American Psychiatric Association disavowed therapy trying to change sexual orientation as ineffective and destructive.[31] A church leader did not take a position on conversion therapy when asked in 2006.[32][33]:17–20 Church leaders began explicitly stating that same-sex physical attractions were not a choice in 2012[33]:21 and stating that therapy focusing on a change in sexual orientation was unethical in 2016.[34]

Church statements and suicide prevention efforts
Leaders have released various statements on LGBT people from Temple Square.

The church released a statement through spokesman Dale Jones on 28 January 2016 mourning the reported suicides of 32 LGBT Mormons. The release stated that leaders and members are taught to "reach out in an active, caring way to all, especially to youth who feel estranged or isolated."[12][21] On 9 February 2016 when apostle Dallin H. Oaks was asked about church leaders and members' responsibility for the treatment of LGBT individuals that may have precipitated in suicides he stated "that's a question that will be answered on judgment day" and that "nobody is sadder about a case like that than I am."[35] In June 2016 the church published its official Mental Health website[36] followed shortly in September 2016 by its official Preventing Suicide website.[37] In August 2017, the LDS Church supported the LoveLoud Festival, a concert event at Utah Valley University raising money for charities which support LGBTQ youth.[38] In April 2018, the LDS Church donated $150,000 to the state of Utah to aid in suicide prevention.[39] In July 2018, the LDS Church donated $25,000 to the LGBT advocacy group Affirmation: LGBT Mormons, Families & Friends to aid in worldwide suicide prevention training.[40]

References
  1. "LGBT Populations: A Dialogue on Advancing Opportunities for Recovery from Addictions and Mental Health Problems" (PDF). samhsa.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. Stack, Peggy Fletcher (15 March 2014). "Program aims to stop suicide, homelessness in LGBT Mormon youth". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  3. Meyer, Ilan H.; Northridge, Mary E. (2007). The Health of Sexual Minorities (1 ed.). US: Springer. pp. 242–247. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-31334-4. ISBN 978-0-387-31334-4.
  4. Knoll, Benjamin (2016). "Youth Suicide Rates and Mormon Religious Context: An Additional Empirical Analysis" (PDF). Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 42 (2).
  5. |url=https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/155/5/413/171404
  6. Minkoff, Kenneth; Bergman, Eric; Beck, Aaron; Beck, Roy (1 April 2006). "Hopelessness, Depression, and Attempted Suicide". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 130 (4): 455–9. doi:10.1176/ajp.130.4.455 (inactive 2020-03-26). PMID 4691303. We also found a significant positive correlation between depression and [suicidal] intent in the total sample, especially in the depressed group. The latter results replicates the findings of Silver and his co-workers (10) in a similar study [DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.1971.01750180093015]; 90 percent of their sample consisted of depressed patients and they also found a significant positive correlation between depression and intent.
  7. Krysinska, Karolina; Lester, David (27 January 2010). "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Suicide Risk: A Systematic Review". Archives of Suicide Research. 14 (1): 1–23. doi:10.1080/13811110903478997. PMID 20112140. A meta-analysis of 50 articles that examined the association between PTSD and past and current suicidal ideation and behavior was conducted. ... PTSD was associated with an increased incidence of prior attempted suicide and prior and current suicidal ideation. ... The evidence indicates that there is an association between PTSD and suicidality with several factors ....
  8. Ford, Julian D.; Gómez, Jennifer M. (15 April 2015). "The Relationship of Psychological Trauma and Dissociative and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders to Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality: A Review". Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. 16 (3): 232–271. doi:10.1080/15299732.2015.989563. PMID 25758363. Dissociative disorders and PTSD are consistently associated with increased NSSI [nonsuicidal self-injury] and SA/SI [suicidal ideation and suicide attempts].
  9. Galliher, Renee; Bradshaw, William; Dehlin, John; Crowelle, Katherine (25 April 2014). "Psychosocial Correlates of Religious Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction: A Mormon Perspective". Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health. 18 (3): 301,304. doi:10.1080/19359705.2014.912970. The major findings from the study are that non-biologically based views regarding the etiology of SSA [same-sex attraction], remaining active in the LDS Church, remaining single, and engaging in mixed-orientation marriages were all associated with higher reported levels of internalized homophobia, sexual identity distress, and depression, and lower levels of self-esteem and quality of life. ... This study does affirm and extend the existing literature by suggesting that psychosocially based beliefs about SSA etiology active participation in non-LGBT-affirming churches, being single and celibate, and mixed-orientation marriage—all of which are common beliefs and/or practices within modern, active LDS culture—are associated with poorer psychosocial health, well-being, and quality of life for LGBT Mormons. Conversely, biological beliefs about SSA etiology, complete disaffiliation from the LDS Church, legal same-sex marriage, and sexual activity are all associated with higher levels of psychosocial health, well-being, and quality of life for LGBT Mormons.
  10. Simmons, Brian (December 2017). "Coming out Mormon: An examination of religious orientation, spiritual trauma, and PTSD among Mormon and ex-Morman LGBTQQA adults" (PDF). University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations: 99. Therefore, data from this study would indicate that LDS teachings and beliefs are often experienced as spiritually damaging to LGBTQQA members and former members. Similarly, the study respondents presented as having substantial PTSD symptomology related to their experiences within Mormonism, with approximately three-quarters (73.4%, n=204) likely meeting criteria for associated PTSD diagnosis during their lifetime. This prevalence is far above the 8% estimated for the U.S. population.
  11. Williams, Brian (December 2017). "Coming out Mormon". uga.edu. University of Georgia. The majority of [the 278 survey] participants (85.6%) were raised in an LDS family and half (51.8%) indicated they still attend LDS services at least monthly. On average, participants identified 13.8 religious beliefs, teachings, or experiences as 'damaging' or 'extremely damaging.' A majority of participants (89.2%) likely met criteria for PTSD diagnosis related to their religious experiences. ... Overall, the findings of this study indicate LGBTQQA Mormon and ex-Mormon adults experience a substantial amount of spiritual trauma and PTSD related to their religious experiences.
  12. Walch, Tad; Collins, Lois M. (28 January 2016). "LDS Church leaders mourn reported deaths in Mormon LGBT community". LDS Church. Deseret News. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  13. "Suicide Memorial". affirmation.org. Affirmation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  14. "Forum Discusses Suicide Prevention Among Mormons" (PDF). Sunstone Magazine (125): 79. December 2002. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  15. Corcoran, Brent; O'Donovan, Rocky (1994). Multiply and Replenish: Mormon Essays on Sex and Family. Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books. p. 156. ISBN 978-1560850502. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  16. McQueen, Robert (August 13, 1975). "Outside the Temple Gates-The Gay Mormon". The Advocate: 14. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  17. |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/19/teen-suicide-soaring-do-spotty-mental-health-and-addiction-treatment-share-blame/428148002/
  18. |url=http://www.health.utah.gov/vipp/teens/youth-suicide/
  19. "It's Time for Us All to Do Something about Suicide—Together". affirmation.org. Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends. 10 July 2018.
  20. Joyner, Kara; Russell, Stephen T. (August 2001). "Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence From a National Study". American Journal of Public Health. 91 (8): 1276–81. doi:10.2105/ajph.91.8.1276. PMC 1446760. PMID 11499118.
  21. Olsen, Jessica (20 January 2017). "Timeline". BYU. The Daily Universe. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  22. Edmonds-Allen, Marian (2016-02-03). "Suicides or Not, LDS Is Harming LGBT Youth". Advocate. Advocate. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  23. Oakley, Blake (3 August 2016). "LDS LGBT Suicides On The Rise: Can the LDS Church do more?". Utah Valley University. The Review. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  24. Greene, David (7 July 2016). "Mama Dragons Try To Prevent Suicides Among Mormon-LGBT Children". NPR. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  25. Stack, Peggy Fletcher (28 January 2016). "Suicide fears, if not actual suicides, rise in wake of Mormon same-sex policy". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  26. Parkinson, Daniel; Barker, Michael. "The LGBTQ Mormon Crisis: Responding to the Empirical Research on Suicide" (PDF). Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  27. Dodson, Braley (11 November 2016). "LGBT BYU students fighting suicide while facing unique mental health challenges". Daily Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  28. "Dr. Jeffery Jensen MD". health.usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report L.P.
  29. Jensen, Jeffrey R. (1997). We See What We Believe: The Heterosexualization of Gay Men and Lesbians in the LDS Church (Speech). Sunstone Symposium. Washington D.C.: Sunstone Education Foundation, Inc. Transcript available here.
  30. Jensen, Jeffrey R. (1996). Homosexuality: A Psychiatrist's Response to LDS Social Services (Speech). Sunstone Symposium. Sunstone Education Foundation, Inc. Transcript at affirmation.org.
  31. "American Psychiatric Association Rebukes Reparative Therapy". sciencesources.eurekalert.org. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 14 December 1998.
  32. "Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: "Same-Gender Attraction"". Mormon Newsroom. LDS Church. April 2006. If a young man says, “Look, I really want these [homosexual] feelings to go away… I would do anything for these feelings to go away,” is it legitimate to look at clinical therapy of some sort that would address those issues? Well, it may be appropriate for that person to seek therapy. Certainly the Church doesn’t counsel against that kind of therapy. The Church rarely takes a position on which treatment techniques are appropriate."
  33. Prince, Gregory A. (27 September 2017). "Science vs. Dogma: Biology Challenges the LDS Paradigm of Homosexuality" (PDF). thc.utah.edu. University of Utah Tanner Humanities Center. Video of the presentation.
  34. "Seeking Professional Help". mormonandgay.lds.org. LDS Church. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  35. Curtis, Larry D. (14 February 2016). "LDS apostle speaks about church responsibility in Mormon LGBT suicides for first time". CBS Television Sinclair Broadcast Group. KUTV News. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  36. West, Camille (21 June 2016). "Church Adds New Mental Health Resources on LDS.org". LDS Church. LDS Church News. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  37. Walch, Tad (8 September 2016). "LDS Church launches 'Preventing Suicide' website during National Suicide Prevention Week". LDS Church. Deseret News. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  38. Jones, Morgan (16 August 2017). "LDS Church issues statement of support for LGBTQ concert event". Deseret News. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  39. Williams, Carter (25 April 2018). "Herbert signs 8 bills for suicide prevention in Utah". KSL.com. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  40. Ormond, Jordan (11 July 2018). "LDS Church donates 25K to LGBT advocacy group in effort to prevent suicide". KSL.com. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
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