In part two of our series on LGBTQ+ youth and their elevated risk for suicide, we finish our chat with Austin Davis Ruiz (he/him) of the Montrose Center. The Montrose Center is an affirming space for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community that provides a wide variety of services, including mental health care. Austin shares both hard hitting facts and his own personal experience with the challenges LGBTQ+ youth face today. From bullying, to the stresses of the pandemic, to homelessness, we explore what makes LGBTQ+ youth more at risk for depression and suicide. Importantly, we also discuss ways we can support this vulnerable population.

Some of the easiest things you can do to support LGBTQ+ youth is to signal that you are an ally. This can easily be done by using your pronouns when you introduce yourself or in your signature on your email. Additionally, displaying a rainbow flag can help a young person know that you are a safe person. According to the Trevor Project, “Having at least one accepting adult can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt among LGBTQ young people by 40 percent.” As we think about this group at higher risk for suicide it is critical to remember the importance of intersectionality. LGBTQ+ youth of color and those that face food or housing insecurity are at an even greater risk for suicide. For more on this, check out this week’s blog, “The Double Impact of Intersectionality”.