Being a young, homosexual man puts you at a pronounced risk of suicide. If the Inter-LGBT association had already alerted to the fact that lesbian, gay and trans people commit suicide an average of four times more than the rest of the population, a new study shows that this rate of suicide varies even within these sexual minorities. Social health researchers from the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London (United Kingdom) have indeed established that bisexual and homosexual men would be more prone to suicide before the age of 26. Their research is published in the Journal of Public Health.
Seven times more likely to attempt suicide
Scientists looked at 5,799 men over the age of 16 living in England, Scotland and Wales with a sexual attraction to men. Through an online survey, they assessed mental health indicators such as depression, the’anxiety and self-destructive behaviors (self-harm and suicide attempts). Overall, mental illness was common among these participants: 21% expressed depression and 17% anxious. As for self-destruction, 6.5% had performed self-injury during the past 12 months and 3% had attempted suicide during the same period. These criteria were particularly present in men under 26 and much rarer in those over 45: beyond this age, the indicators of self-destructive behavior were seven times lower than in men under 26. years. Another highlight noted by the researchers: the men in the study who live with their male partners express better mental health. The protective effect of this cohabitation would be due, according to the researchers, to the benefit of the psycho-social support that life gives to two. This health benefit has already been shown among married couples.
Young men more victims of homophobia
But why is mental illness related to age in gay and bisexual people? On the one hand, young men are more often victims of discrimination: “our results are in agreement with the fact that homosexual assault and abuse is much more experienced by young people“underline the authors of the study. On the other hand, older men would have learned, over time, to better accept their sexual orientation and to cope better with homophobia. In conclusion of their study, the authors suggest that public policies must focus on the fight against homophobic discrimination against younger men. homosexuals Researchers evoke ethnic origin, level of education, place of life or even financial income.
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