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In society at large, LGBTQ individuals, especially youth, are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.[1][2][3] Though causes of mental health risk are complex, one often cited reason for these higher risks is minority stress stemming from societal anti-LGBT biases and stigma, rejection, and internalized homophobia.[4]
A 2016 empirical study found a correlation between the percentage of members of Mormonism's largest denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in a U.S. state and the suicide rates of that state, stating the reason was due to the church's stance on same-sex sexual relations.[5] The study could not examine what percentages of the deaths were LGBTQ persons or the percentage that were Latter-day Saints. A 2019 study found that LGB men raised in the LDS Church who remained affiliated had lower life satisfaction and higher risk of suicidality than LDS-raised LGB men who had disaffiliated. It also found for sexual minorities of all genders that discontinuing involvement with the LDS Church was correlated with better mental health and less internalized anti-gay biases.[6]: 8 [7]
A 2002 research report found a negative correlation in suicide between general LDS Church youth members and nonmember youth in Utah, finding higher levels of religiosity appear to be inversely associated with suicide. The study did not take into account sexual orientation or gender identity and expression,[8] and a different study found that while higher religiosity was correlated with lower rates of suicide attempts for heterosexual youth, it had the opposite affect for youth reporting homosexual feelings and increased suicidality, and the same pattern held true for reported parental religiosity.[6]: 3 [9] In a 2015 survey of 92 LGBTQ BYU students done by USGA, over half had at some point considered self-harm.[10]
Other studies have shown that LGBTQ Mormons and former Mormons experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder than the general population.[11][12][13] These are positively correlated with suicidality.[14][15][16] One snowball sampling study of 1,612 LGBTQ Mormon and former Mormon respondents in 2015 found that involvement with the 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 LGBTQ individuals.[11]
Many have stated the belief that LDS teachings on homosexuality and gender, such as the belief gender and sexuality can be changed, have contributed to the suicides of LGBTQ members, and enabled harsh behavior by its members.[19] In January 2016 the LDS Church stated in regards to reported suicides of LGBTQ 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."[20] Affirmation, the largest and oldest continuously run LGBTQ Mormon organization, reported over 30 LGBTQ LDS deaths by suicide between 1971 and 2008[21][22] including five gay male Brigham Young University (BYU) students who died by suicide in 1965.[23][24]
- ^ "Building Bridges: LGBT Populations: A Dialogue on Advancing Opportunities for Recovery from Addictions and Mental Health Problems" (PDF). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2013. pp. 1–3.
- ^ Fletcher Stack, Peggy (March 15, 2014). "Program aims to stop suicide, homelessness in LGBT Mormon youth". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ Christensen, Jen (June 28, 2023). "Transgender people face significantly higher suicide risk, Danish study finds". CNN. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
The study of more than 6.6 million people found that those who identified as trans had 7.7 times the rate of suicide attempts and 3.5 times the rate of suicide deaths than the broader Danish population.
- ^ Meyer, Ilan H.; et al. (2007). Meyer, Ilan H.; et al. (eds.). The Health of Sexual Minorities (1 ed.). US: Springer Publishing. pp. 242–247. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-31334-4. ISBN 978-0-387-31334-4 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Knoll, Benjamin (2016). "Youth Suicide Rates and Mormon Religious Context: An Additional Empirical Analysis" (PDF). Dialogue. 42 (2).
- ^ a b McGraw, James S. (2020). Religious/Spiritual Struggles, One-Upmanship, Internalized Homophobia and Suicide Risk Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer/Questioning and Same-Sex Attracted Latter-Day Saints (Master of Arts thesis). Bowling Green, Ohio, USA: Bowling Green State University.
- ^ Bridges, James G.; et al. (May 1, 2020). "Identity Affirmation and Mental Health among Sexual Minorities: A Raised-Mormon Sample". LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. 16 (3). Taylor & Francis: 293–311. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2019.1629369. ISSN 1550-428X.
LGB-identified sexual-minority men disaffiliated from the LDS church reported significantly lower levels of suicidality and higher levels of life satisfaction compared to men still affiliated with the LDS church. ... trends universally indicated that sexual minorities who no longer identified as LDS reported better mental health and less internalized homonegativity than those still affiliated.
- ^ Hilton, Sterling C.; et al. (2002). "Suicide Rates and Religious Commitment in Young Adult Males in Utah". American Journal of Epidemiology. 155 (5): 413–419. doi:10.1093/aje/155.5.413. PMID 11867352.
- ^ Shearer, Annie; et al. (August 2018). "Religion, Sexual Orientation, and Suicide Attempts Among a Sample of Suicidal Adolescents". Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. 48 (4): 431. doi:10.1111/sltb.12372. hdl:10919/104006. ISSN 0363-0234.
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PTSD2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Prince, Gregory A. (2019). Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press. ISBN 9781607816638 – via Google Books.
- ^ Mayne, Mitch (June 14, 2012). "A Way Out of Danger for Mormon Youth". The Advocate. Pride Publishing Inc.
- ^ [17]: 4 [17]: 17 [18]
- ^ Walch, Tad; Collins, Lois M. (January 28, 2016). "LDS Church leaders mourn reported deaths in Mormon LGBT community". Deseret News. LDS Church. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "Suicide Memorial". affirmation.org. Affirmation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2016 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Forum Discusses Suicide Prevention Among Mormons" (PDF). Sunstone. No. 125. December 2002. p. 79.
- ^ 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 November 29, 2016.
- ^ McQueen, Robert (August 13, 1975). "Outside the Temple Gates-The Gay Mormon". The Advocate. p. 14. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2016 – via Affirmation.