Citation

Péter T, Taylor C, Campbell C. J. Gay Lesbian Ment. Health 2016; 20(3): 195-213.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19359705.2016.1171188

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide has been a longstanding problem among sexual and gender minority youth in Canada. The goal of the article is to examine the link between suicidality and school climate within a theoretically informed framework and a mixed methods approach. Qualitative and quantitative findings are presented using data from more than 3,700 secondary students from the National Climate Survey of Homophobia and Transphobia in Canadian Schools (Taylor & Peter, 2011a). The findings show that even modest efforts to shift the balance of heteronormative discourse on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) students can have profound effects on the experiences and perceptions of sexual and gender minority youth, which we argue would go a long way in reducing incidents of suicidality among LGBTQ youth. In many jurisdictions across Canada, LGBTQ-inclusive policies have attempted to improve school climates and reduce the effects of homophobia and transphobia in schools. These initiatives, along with the work done by Egale Canada to create a National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, are important steps in addressing the needs of LGBTQ youth. © 2016, © Taylor & Francis Group.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide; youth; Discrimination