Understanding protective and risk factors in preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth in the UK

LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to attempt suicide in comparison to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Despite a UK national suicide prevention strategy, there have been minimal efforts to address this mental health inequality. Our aim was to provide evidence to guide suicide prevention strategies by examining risk and protective factors. Our LGBTQ+ youth advisory group were involved in all aspects of the study. We conducted an online self-complete, cross-sectional questionnaire. Participants were recruited via social media. The resulting sample (N = 9,666) comprised UK LGBTQ+ youth aged 13–24 years old. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between our predictor variables and our mental health outcomes. Random forest classification modeling was used to rank predictors. We found a positive LGBTQ+ school environment and social support and acceptance were significant protective factors; victimization and discrimination and food insecurity were significant risk factors. The most important ranked predictor variables of suicidality were having a trusted adult, experience of LGBTQ+ victimization, food insecurity, conversion therapy, and all school variables. This is the first large-scale UK study to examine protective and risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth suicide. Results suggest key to prevention is providing LGBTQ+ affirming and safe environments and relationships in school, at home, and in communities, alongside measures to address food insecurity.