Youth suicide

Youth suicide is when a young person, generally categorized as

someone below age 21, deliberately ends their own life. Rates of
attempted and completed youth suicide in Western societies and other
countries are high. Youth suicide attempts are more common among
girls, but adolescent males are the ones who usually carry out suicide.[1]
Suicide rates in youths have nearly tripled between the 1960s and
1980s.[2] For example, in Australia suicide is second only to motor
vehicle accidents as its leading cause of death for people aged 15–25,[3]
and according to the National Institute for Mental Health, suicide is the
third leading cause of death among teens in the United States.[4][5]

Suicide contagion
According to research conducted by the Commission for Children and
Young People and Child Guardian in 2007, 39% of all youth suicides are
completed by young people who have lost someone of influence or
significance to them to suicide. The Commission terms this suicide
contagion and makes several recommendations as to the importance of
safeguarding young people and communities from suicide contagion.

In 2011 the Australian Federal Parliament Standing Committee for

Health and Ageing Inquiry into Youth Suicide met in a round table
forum with young representatives from three organisations at the
forefront of preventing youth suicide. These organizations included
Sunnykids

,[6] Inspire, and Boys Town. The Standing Committee has since released
a discussion paper highlighting the findings of their inquiry[7] and will
seek to make final recommendations on the most effective means for
reducing youth suicide.

Teens at risk
One of the problems facing teenagers at risk of suicide is getting
psychiatric counseling when it's needed.[8] One study says, "In teenagers,
depression is considered a major - if not the leading - cause of teen
suicide." [9] Factors and risks contributed to youth suicide are academic
pressure, alcohol consumption, the loss of a valued relationship, frequent
change of residency, and poor family patterns.[10] Harassment is a
leading cause of teen suicide, along with abuse. Gay teens or those
unsure of their sexual identity are more likely to commit suicide,
particularly if they have suffered bullying or harassment, as discussed
next. The following campaigns have been started in hopes of giving
teens hope and abolishing the feeling of isolation.

 It Gets Better[11]
 Born This Way[12]
 I Get Bullied Too[13]
 Stop Youth Suicide[14]

Lack of impulse control has been found to differentiate adolescent

suicide attempters from a control group of adolescents with an acute
illness (Slap, Vorters, Chaudhuri, & Centor, 1988). However,
impulsivity does not characterize all suicide attempters, since group
comparisons have found no differences between suicidal patients and
psychiatric controls on a measure of cognitive impulsivity (Patsiokas,
Clum, & Luscomb, 1979). Instead, impulsivity may be important in
identifying high risk subgroups.

Sexual minority youth and suicide

Youth that fall under the category of sexual minorities are at an elevated
risk of depression and succumbing to self-harm. Among the population
of sexual minority youth, on average, 28% explain having past
experiences with suicidal actions and/or thoughts.[15] Lesbian and gay
youth are the group most likely to face negative experiences, leading to a
higher likelihood of the development of suicidal thoughts according to
mental care professionals.[15] Bisexuality also carries a higher likelihood
of suicidality with bisexuals being 5 times more likely to report suicidal
thoughts and actions.[15] Sexual minority youth also report a higher
incidence of substance abuse when compared to heterosexuals.[15]
Overall, studies suggest that sexual minority youth carry a higher
incidence of suicide and depression.

Previous exposure, attempts, and age impacting youth suicide

Exposure to suicide, previous attempts of suicide, and age are some of

the most influential factors of young individuals and their probability of
dying by suicide. Adolescent exposure to suicide through classmates has
caused researchers to hypothesize suicide as a contagion. They note how
a child’s exposure to suicide predicts suicide ideation and attempts.[16]
Previous exposure to suicide through parental attempts have also been
found to have a 3.5 increase in a youth’s probability of having suicidal
thoughts, with a 2.6 increased chance of them attempting suicide.[17]
Aggression in families and its transference can be one of the main
causes of transmission of suicidal tendencies in families [18].

Previous attempts of suicide also play a major role in a youth attempting

suicide again. On average, it has been recorded that the follow-up period
for suicide-attempters was 3.88 years.[19] Evidence shows that the
primary suspects for suicide are those who failed in their original
attempts at suicide, with research claiming that those previously
attempting suicide can have anywhere from a 40 to over a 100 times
higher chance of dying by suicide compared to that of the general
population.[20]

Age and experience also factor into suicide. It has been found that older,
more experienced populations take more time to plan, choose deadlier
methods, and have greater suicidal intent. This results in them eventually
committing suicide at a higher rate than their younger counterparts.[21]

Bereavement among young people

The primary goals of suicide postvention include assisting the survivors

of suicide with the grief process, along with identifying and referring
those survivors who may be at risk for negative outcomes such as
depressive and anxiety disorders, and suicidal behaviour. With 42% of
completed youth suicides being suicide bereavement (or contagion)
related - further research and investment must be made into supporting
this group of people. A few suggestions to make sure the support is
effective include making the individuals feel connected and understood.

Epidemiology
Two possible determinants to suicide attempts are lifetime sexual abuse
and adult physical violence.[22] Among participants aged 18–25, the odds
ratios for lifetime sexual abuse and adult physical violence are 4.27 and
3.85,[22] respectively. In other words, those who committed suicide are
327% more likely to have experienced lifetime sexual assault. Similarly,
a suicide victim is 285% more likely to have suffered physical violence
as and adult. Based on a survey done on American high school students,
16% reported considering suicide and 8% reported attempting suicide
sometime within the 12 months before taking the survey.[23] Between
1980 and 1994, the suicide rates of young black males doubled.
American Indians and Alaska Natives commit suicide at a higher rate
than any other ethnic group in the United States.[24] In India, one-third of
suicides are young people 15–29. In 2002, 154,000 suicides were
recorded in India. In the United States, about 60 percent of suicides are
carried out with a gun. Some Aboriginal teens and gay or lesbian teens
are at high risk, depending on their community and their own self-
esteem.[25] Several campaigns have been started to give them hope and
help them to feel less isolated.

Intervention
One organization in Australia has found that young people who feel
connected, supported and understood are less likely to commit suicide.
Reports on the attitudes of young people identified as at risk of suicide
have been released.[26] Such reports support the notion that
connectedness, a sense of being supported and respected, is a protective
factor for young people at risk of suicide. According to Pueblo Suicide
Prevention Center (PSPC) for some reason kids today are experiencing
more pressure.[citation needed]

Issues for communities

Intervention issues for communities to address include: suicide

contagion, developmental understanding of suicide, development and
suicide risk, and the influence of culture. Key matters in postvention
responses for young people include: community context, life stage
relevance of responses, identification and referral (Postvention Co-
ordination), developing a suite of services, and creating ongoing options.

Prevention
One can help prevent adolescent suicide by discouraging isolation,
addressing a child's depression which is correlated with suicide, getting
rid of any objects that a child could use to commit suicide, and simply
paying attention to what the child does or feels.[27]

Schools are a great place to provide more education and support on

suicide prevention. Since students spend a majority of their time at
school, school can be either a haven from or a source of suicidal triggers,
and students' peers can heavily influence their state of mind. The school
setting is an ideal environment to educate students on suicide and have
support readily available.

Table of Youth Suicide Rates

Year of Rate of Rate of
Country Total
Data Males Females
Sri Lanka 1986 43.9 49.3 46.5
Lithuania 2002 38.4 8.8 23.9
Russian Federation 2002 38.5 8.3 23.6
Kazakhstan 2002 31.2 10.5 21.0
 Year of Rate of Rate of
Country Total
Data Males Females
Luxembourg 2002 23.5 8.2 16.0
New Zealand 2000 22.3 8.2 15.3
El Salvador 1993 13.2 15.8 14.5
Belarus 2001 23.6 3.9 14.0
Estonia 2002 24.1 1.9 13.2
Turkmenistan 1998 16.6 8.8 12.8
Ukraine 2000 19.6 4.9 12.4
Ireland 2000 19.8 4.3 12.3
Mauritius 2000 10.1 12.5 11.3
Norway 2001 15.3 6.2 10.9
Canada 2000 16.3 5.2 10.8
Latvia 2002 16.9 4.4 10.8
Kyrgyzstan 2002 15.2 4.8 10.0
Austria 2002 15.1 3.8 9.6
Trinidad and
1994 8.9 10.5 9.6
Tobago
Finland 2002 15.0 3.8 9.5
Uzbekistan 2000 12.5 6.4 9.5
Belgium 1997 14.5 3.9 9.3
Cuba 1996 6.1 12.5 9.2
Ecuador 1991 6.9 11.4 9.1
Australia 2001 13.8 3.8 8.9
Singapore 2001 9.2 7.8 8.5
Poland 2001 14.1 2.4 8.4
Switzerland 2000 12.6 4.0 8.4
Croatia 2002 14.0 2.1 8.2
USA 2000 13.0 2.7 8.0
Slovenia 1987 12.0 3.1 7.6
 Year of Rate of Rate of
Country Total
Data Males Females
Hungary 2002 11.2 3.8 7.5
Japan 2000 8.8 3.8 6.4
Uruguay 1990 8.3 3.9 6.2
Bulgaria 2002 9.2 2.3 5.8
Czech Republic 2001 9.5 1.8 5.7
Argentina 1996 7.1 4.0 5.6
Costa Rica 1995 7.1 4.0 5.6
Germany 2001 8.7 2.4 5.6
Thailand 1994 6.1 5.1 5.6
Colombia 1994 6.7 4.2 5.5
Venezuela 1994 7.1 3.8 5.5
Republic of Korea 2001 5.9 4.9 5.4
Hong Kong 1999 5.1 5.3 5.2
France 1999 7.5 2.5 5.0
Denmark 1999 9.0 0.7 4.9
Israel 1999 8.7 0.0 4.9
Romania 2002 7.0 2.2 4.7
Netherlands 2000 7.4 1.8 4.6
Sweden 2001 5.7 2.8 4.3
Brazil* 1995 5.7 2.6 4.2
Puerto Rico 1992 8.3 0.0 4.2
United Kingdom 1999 6.5 1.8 4.2
Republic of
2002 7.1 1.1 4.1
Moldova
China* 1999 3.2 4.8 4.0
Slovakia 2002 5.8 1.9 3.9
Chile 1994 6.2 1.3 3.8
Mexico 1995 5.1 2.3 3.7
 Year of Rate of Rate of
Country Total
Data Males Females
Spain 2000 5.3 1.4 3.4
Panama 1987 4.6 1.6 3.1
Albania 2001 2.8 3.3 3.0
Dominican Republic 1985 2.7 3.2 2.9
Italy 2000 3.6 1.7 2.7
Macedonia 2000 1.2 3.7 2.4
Tajikistan 1999 3.3 0.9 2.1
Portugal 2000 2.6 0.9 1.8
Greece 1999 2.7 0.6 1.7
Peru 1983 1.3 0.7 1.0

Suicide in India
About 800,000 people commit suicide worldwide every year,[2] of these
135,000 (17%) are residents of India,[3] a nation with 17.5% of world
population. Between 1987 and 2007, the suicide rate increased from 7.9
to 10.3 per 100,000,[4] with higher suicide rates in southern and eastern
states of India.[5] In 2012, Tamil Nadu (12.5% of all suicides),
Maharashtra (11.9%) and West Bengal (11.0%) had the highest
proportion of suicides.[3] Among large population states, Tamil Nadu
and Kerala had the highest suicide rates per 100,000 people in 2012. The
male to female suicide ratio has been about 2:1.[3]

Estimates for number of suicides in India vary. For example, a study

published in Lancet projected 187,000 suicides in India in 2010,[6] while
official data by the Government of India claims 134,600 suicides in the
same year.[3]

According to WHO data, the age standardized suicide rate in India is

16.4 per 100,000 for women (6th highest in the world) and 25.8 for men
(ranking 22nd).[7]
Definition
The Government of India classifies a death as suicide if it meets the
following three criteria:[8]

 it is an unnatural death,
 the intent to die originated within the person,
 there is a reason for the person to end his or her life. The reason
may have been specified in a suicide note or unspecified.

If one of these criterion is not met, the death may be classified as death
because of illness, murder or in another statistical.

Statistics

State-wise distribution in 2014

Causes for suicide in India In 2014[9]
Causes No of people
Bankruptcy or indebtedness 2,308
Marriage Related Issues 6,773
Non Settlement of Marriage 1,096
Dowry Related Issues 2,261
Extra Marital affairs 476
Divorce 333
Others 2,607
 Failure in Examination 2,403
Impotency/Infertility 332
Other Family problems 28,602
Illness 23,746
AIDS/STD 233
Cancer 582
Paralysis 408
Insanity/Mental illness 7,104
Other prolonged illness 15,419
Death of dear person 981
Drug abuse/addiction 3,647
Fall in social reputation 490
Ideological causes/Hero worshipping 56
Love affairs 4,168
Poverty 1,699
Unemployment 2,207
Property dispute 1,067
Suspected/Illicit relation 458

Regional trends

The southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil

Nadu along with eastern states of West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram
have a suicide rate of greater than 16 while it is less than 4 in Punjab,
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.[3] Puducherry reported the highest suicide rate
at 36.8 per 100,000 people, followed by Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and
Kerala. The lowest suicide rates were reported in Bihar (0.8 per
100,000), followed by Nagaland and Manipur.[8]

Age and suicide in India

In India, about 46,000 suicides occurred each in 15–29 and 30–44 age
groups in 2012 – or about 34% each of all suicides.[3]
Method of suicide in India

Poisoning (33%), hanging (38%) and self-immolation (9%) were the

primary methods used to commit suicide in 2012.[3]

Literacy

In 2012, 80% of the suicide victims were literate, higher than the
national average literacy rate of 74%.[8]

Suicide in cities

There were 19,120 suicides in India's largest 53 cities. In the year 2012,
Chennai reported the highest total number of suicides at 2,183, followed
by Bengaluru (1,989), Delhi (1,397) and Mumbai (1,296). Jabalpur
(Madhya Pradesh) followed by Kollam (Kerala) reported the highest rate
of suicides at 45.1 and 40.5 per 100,000 people respectively, about 4
times higher than national average rate.[8] There is a wide variation in
suicide rates, year to year, among Indian cities.

Gender

On average, males suicide rate is twice that of females.[10] However,

there is a wide variation in this ratio at the regional level. West Bengal
reported 6,277 female suicides, the highest amongst all states of India,
and a ratio of male to female suicides at 4:3.[8]

Dynamics
Domestic violence

Further information: Domestic violence in India

Domestic violence is a major risk factor for suicide in a case study

performed in Bangalore.[11][12] However, as a fraction of total suicides,
violence against women – such as domestic violence, rape, incest and
dowry – accounted for less than 4% of total suicides.[3]
Suicide motivated by politics

Suicides motivated by ideology doubled between 2006 and 2008.[5]

Suicide motivated by mental illness

The Indian government has been criticized by the media for its mental
health care system, which is linked to the high suicide rate.[13][14]

Farmer's suicide in India

Main article: Farmers' suicides in India

India's economy vastly depends on agriculture with around 60% of its

people directly or indirectly depends upon it. Different reasons like
droughts, low yield prices, exploitation by middlemen and inability to
pay loans lead Indian farmers to suicide.

Legislation
Main article: Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code

In India, suicide was illegal and the survivor would face jail term of up
to one year and fine under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.
However, the government of India decided to repeal the law in 2014.[15]

Prevention policies
Four pronged attack for suicide prevention

A four pronged attack to combat suicide suggested in a 2003 monograph

was
(1) Reducing social isolation,
(2) Preventing social disintegration,
(3) Treating mental disorders,[16] and
(4) Regulating the sale of pesticides & ropes.[16]
Suicide among LGBT youth
Researchers have found that attempted suicide rates and suicidal ideation
among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth is
comparatively higher than among the general population.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
LGBT teens and young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide
attempts.[7][8] According to some groups, this is linked to heterocentric
cultures and institutionalised homophobia in some cases, including the
use of rights and protections for LGBT people as a political wedge issue
like in the contemporary efforts to halt legalising same-sex
marriages.[9][10][11] Depression and drug use among LGBT people have
both been shown to increase significantly after new laws that
discriminate against gay people are passed.[12]

Research on completed suicides in sexual minorities is preliminary. A

2014 study reported that members of the LGBT community had higher
rates of all-cause mortality, and those living in areas with a higher
degree of social stigma towards homosexuality tended to complete
suicide at a younger age.[13] A 2017 follow up failed to replicate these
results,[14] and an investigation by the original authors revealed a coding
error that, once corrected, eliminated the link between stigma and
mortality risk.[15]

Bullying of LGBT youth has been shown to be a contributing factor in

many suicides, even if not all of the attacks have been specifically
addressing sexuality or gender.[16] Since a series of suicides in the early
2000s, more attention has been focused on the issues and underlying
causes in an effort to reduce suicides among LGBTQ youth. The Family
Acceptance Project's research has demonstrated that "parental
acceptance, and even neutrality, with regard to a child's sexual
orientation" can bring down the attempted suicide rate.[7] Suicidal
ideation and attempts seem to be roughly the same for heterosexual
youth as for youth counterparts who have same-sex attractions and
behavior but do not identify as being LGBTQ.[17] This correlates with
the findings of a large survey of US adults that found higher rates of
"mood and anxiety disorders, key risk factors for suicidal behavior", are
linked to people who identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual, rather than
sexual behaviors, especially for men.[18]

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention notes that there is
no national data (for the U.S.) regarding suicidal ideation or suicide rates
among the LGBT population as a whole or in part, for LGBT youth or
LGBT seniors, for example.[19] In part because there is no agreed
percentage of the national population that is LGBTQ, or even identifies
as LGBTQ, also death certificates do not include sexuality
information.[9] A 1986 study noted that previous large scale studies of
completed suicides did not "consider sexual orientation in their data
analyses".[20]

Reports and studies

Clinical social worker Caitlin Ryan's Family Acceptance Project (San
Francisco State University) conducted the first study of the effect of
family acceptance and rejection on the health, mental health and well-
being of LGBT youth, including suicide, HIV/AIDS and
homelessness.[21] Their research shows that LGBT youths "who
experience high levels of rejection from their families during
adolescence (when compared with those young people who experienced
little or no rejection from parents and caregivers) were more than eight
times likely to have attempted suicide, more than six times likely to
report high levels of depression, more than three times likely to use
illegal drugs and more than three times likely to be at high risk for HIV
or other STDs" by the time they reach their early 20s.[21][dead link]

Numerous studies have shown that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth have
a higher rate of suicide attempts than do heterosexual youth. The Suicide
Prevention Resource Center synthesized these studies and estimated that
between 5 and 10% of LGBT youth, depending on age and sex groups,
have attempted suicide, a rate 1.5-3 times higher than heterosexual
youth.[22] A U.S. government study, titled Report of the Secretary's Task
Force on Youth Suicide, published in 1989, found that LGBT youth are
four times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people.[23]
This higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and overall mental health
problems among gay teenagers compared to their heterosexual peers has
been attributed to minority stress.[24][25] "More than 34,000 people die by
suicide each year," making it "the third leading cause of death among 15
to 24 year olds with lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth attempting suicide
up to four times more than their heterosexual peers."[26]

It is impossible to know the exact suicide rate of LGBT youth because

sexuality and gender minorities are often hidden and even unknown,
particularly in this age group. Further research is currently being done to
explain the prevalence of suicide among LGBT youths.[27][28][29]

In terms of school climate, "approximately 25 percent of lesbian, gay

and bisexual students and university employees have been harassed due
to their sexual orientation, as well as a third of those who identify as
transgender, according to the study and reported by the Chronicle of
Higher Education."[30] Research has found the presence of gay-straight
alliances (GSAs) in schools is associated with decreased suicide
attempts; in a study of LGBT youth, ages 13–22, 16.9% of youth who
attended schools with GSAs attempted suicide versus 33.1% of students
who attended schools without GSAs.[31]

"LGBT students are three times as likely as non-LGBT students to say

that they do not feel safe at school (22% vs. 7%) and 90% of LGBT
students (vs. 62% of non-LGBT teens) have been harassed or assaulted
during the past year."[32] In addition, "LGBQ students were more likely
than heterosexual students to have seriously considered leaving their
institution as a result of harassment and discrimination."[33] Susan
Rankin, a contributing author to the report in Miami, found that
“Unequivocally, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People
demonstrates that LGBT students, faculty and staff experience a ‘chilly’
campus climate of harassment and far less than welcoming campus
communities."[33]
The internet is also an important factor for LGBT. An international
study found that suicidal LGBT showed important differences with
suicidal heterosexuals, in a matched-pairs study.[34] That study found
suicidal LGBT were more likely to communicate suicidal intentions,
more likely to search for new friends online, and found more support
online than did suicidal heterosexuals.

According to a study in Taiwan, 1 in 5 or 20% of Taiwanese gay people

have attempted suicide.[35]

Developmental psychology perspectives

The diathesis-stress model suggests that biological vulnerabilities
predispose individuals to different conditions such as cancer, heart
disease, and mental health conditions like major depression, a risk factor
for suicide. Varying amounts of environmental stress increase the
probability that these individuals will develop that condition. Minority
stress theory suggests that minority status leads to increased
discrimination from the social environment which leads to greater stress
and health problems. In the presence of poor emotion regulation skills
this can lead to poor mental health. Also, the differential susceptibility
hypothesis suggests that for some individuals their physical and mental
development is highly dependent on their environment in a “for-better-
and-for-worse” fashion. That is, individuals who are highly susceptible
will have better than average health in highly supportive environments
and significantly worse than average health in hostile, violent
environments. The model can help explain the unique health problems
affecting LGBT populations including increased suicide attempts. For
adolescents, the most relevant environments are the family,
neighborhood, and school. Adolescent bullying - which is highly
prevalent among sexual minority youths - is a chronic stressor that can
increase risk for suicide via the diathesis-stress model. In a study of
American lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents, Mark Hatzenbuehler
examined the effect of the county-level social environment.[36] This was
indexed by the proportion of same-sex couples and Democrats living in
the counties. Also included were the proportions of schools with gay-
straight alliances as well as anti-bullying and antidiscrimination policies
that include sexual orientation. He found that a more conservative social
environment elevated risk in suicidal behavior among all youth and that
this effect was stronger for LGB youth. Furthermore, he found that the
social environment partially mediated the relation between LGB status
and suicidal behaviour. Hatzenbuehler found that even after such social
as well as individual factors were controlled for, however, that "LGB
status remained a significant predictor of suicide attempts."

Institutionalized and internalized homophobia

Institutionalized and internalized homophobia may also lead LGBT
youth to not accept themselves and have deep internal conflicts about
their sexual orientation.[37] Parents may force children out of home after
the child's coming out.[38]

Homophobia arrived at by any means can be a gateway to bullying

which can take many forms. Physical bullying is kicking, punching,
while emotional bullying is name calling, spreading rumors and other
verbal abuse. Cyber bullying involves abusive text messages or
messages of the same nature on Facebook, Twitter, and other social
media networks. Sexual bullying is inappropriate touching, lewd
gestures or jokes.[39]

Bullying may be considered a "rite of passage",[40] but studies have

shown it has negative physical and psychological effects. "Sexual
minority youth, or teens that identify themselves as gay, lesbian or
bisexual, are bullied two to three times more than heterosexuals", and
"almost all transgender students have been verbally harassed (e.g., called
names or threatened in the past year at school because of their sexual
orientation (89%) and gender expression (89%)") according to Gay,
Lesbian and Straight Education Network's Harsh Realities, The
Experiences of Transgender Youth In Our Nation’s Schools.[26]
This issue has been a hot topic for media outlets over the past few years,
and even more so in the months of September and October 2010.
President Barack Obama has posted an "It Gets Better" video on The
White House website as part of the It Gets Better Project. First lady
Michelle Obama attributes such behaviors to the examples parents set as,
in most cases, children follow their lead.[41]

Projects
The Trevor Project

"The Trevor Project was founded by director/producer Peggy Rajski,

producer Randy Stone and screenwriter James Lecesne, creators of the
1994 Academy Award-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama
about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of
his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life."[42] They are an
American non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide,
offering around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for
LGBTQ youth, the project "is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ
youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our
nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and
advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and
positive environment for everyone."[42]

It Gets Better Project

It Gets Better Project is an Internet-based campaign founded in the US

by Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller in September 2010,[43][44] in
response to the suicides of teenagers who were bullied because they
were gay or because their peers suspected that they were gay. The videos
that were posted emphasized the idea that hope is possible despite the
bullying that LGBT individuals may face.[45] Its goal is to prevent
suicide among LGBT youth by having gay adults convey the message
through social media videos that these teens' lives will improve.[46] The
project has grown rapidly: over 200 videos were uploaded in the first
week,[47] and the project's YouTube channel reached the 650 video limit
References
1.

 "Youth Suicide Risk and Preventive Interventions: A Review of the Past 10 Years". Research
Update Review.
  Kastenbaum, Robert J. (2012). Death, Society, and Human Experience. Boston: Pearson.
p. 198. ISBN 978-0-205-00108-8.
  Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian
  National Institute [for] Mental Health
  Iype, George. South India: World's suicide capital. Rediff, 2004-04-15. Retrieved 2011-10-
13.
  SunnyKids 2010
  Federal Parliament Health and Ageing Standing Committee Inquiry into Youth Suicide
Archived January 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  [1]The Globe and Mail, 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-10-13.

 [2]"Teen Suicide Causes