Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth

About This Program

Target Population: Staff in schools, youth-serving organizations and agencies, and suicide prevention programs working with youth in the age range of 10-24

For organizations that serve children ages: 10 – 24

Program Overview

Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth: A Workshop for Professionals Who Serve Youth covers the topics of suicidal behavior among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, warning signs and risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior, strategies to reduce suicide risk, and ways to increase school or agency cultural competence. Instructional methods include lecture, small group exercises, and group discussion. The workshop kit includes two PowerPoint slide presentations, leader's guide, and handouts and is available online free of charge. The kit provides a foundation from which leaders can adapt the workshop to meet their needs and the needs of their audience. Leaders are welcome to shorten or lengthen the workshop from the suggested single session, 4-hour format. They may also add materials specific to local programs, resources, or activities.

Program Goals

The goals of Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth: A Workshop for Professionals Who Serve Youth are:

  • Use correct terminology for suicidal behavior and LGBT issues
  • Describe research related to suicidal behavior among LGBT youth
  • Discuss risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior in LGBT youth
  • Assess the cultural competence of their schools and agencies in relation to LGBT youth
  • Plan next steps for increasing LGBT cultural competence
  • Describe strategies to reduce suicidal behavior among LGBT youth
  • Identify and serve LGBT youth who are suicidal

Logic Model

The program representative did not provide information about a Logic Model for Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth.

Essential Components

The essential components of Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth: A Workshop for Professionals Who Serve Youth include:

  • Designed for staff in:
    • Schools:
      • Teachers
      • School Administrators
    • Youth-serving organizations and agencies:
      • Child welfare workers
      • Clergy
      • Youth group leaders
      • Group home staff
      • Juvenile justice staff
      • Foster parents
      • Therapists
      • Recreation workers
    • Suicide prevention programs
  • Two workshop leaders, at least one of whom is a sexual or gender minority, (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender)
  • Group training for up to 40 participants
  • Workshop kit is available to download for free online:
    • Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth Leader's Guide:
      • This guide provides an introduction to the workshop and all the information needed to plan, prepare for, conduct, and assess the workshop. It contains the following sections:
        • Section 1: Introduction -
          • Overview of the workshop
            • History
            • Goals
            • Objectives
          • Intended audience
          • Co-leaders
        • Section 2: Workshop Preparation
          • Instructions for planning the workshop
          • Instructions for promoting the workshop
          • Instructions for preparing the workshop
        • Section 3: The Workshop
          • How to use the two PowerPoint presentations
          • How to use the sample agenda
          • How to use the participant evaluation form, certificate of attendance, and leader feedback form.
    • Youth Voices Slide Presentation:
      • Set of 28 PowerPoint slides that features quotations from LGBT youth
      • Can be played in the background as people arrive for the workshop
    • Main Slide Presentation:
      • Set of 70 PowerPoint slides that contains the main presentation of the workshop
      • Sample script embedded into the notes pages of these slides
    • Packet of Handouts:
      • Contains 11 handouts that accompany the workshop

Program Delivery

Recommended Intensity:

One 4-hour workshop that can be shortened or lengthened depending on the needs of the participants and leaders

Recommended Duration:

Once the staff are trained and have done the agency/school assessment, the learning can galvanize changes in agency practices.

Delivery Settings

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

  • Community Daily Living Setting
  • Community-based Agency / Organization / Provider
  • Group or Residential Care
  • School Setting (Including: Day Care, Day Treatment Programs, etc.)

Homework

This program does not include a homework component.

Resources Needed to Run Program

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

  • A room that can hold the number of participants being trained (up to 40 is suggested)
  • Two leaders, at least one of whom is a sexual or gender minority, (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender)
  • Computer, projector, screen, and power cords to show the two PowerPoint presentations
  • Flip chart and markers
  • Packet of 11 handouts printed for each participant

Manuals and Training

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

Workshop facilitators should have knowledge and experience in both suicide prevention and LGBT issues and knowledge of local helping resources. The workshop kit has been designed so that individuals working in schools, youth-serving agencies, or suicide prevention programs can give the workshop to colleagues following a review of the enclosed materials. It is strongly recommended that the workshop be delivered by two leaders, at least one of whom is a sexual or gender minority, i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender.

Manual Information

There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.

Program Manual(s)

Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2014, July). Suicide Prevention Among LGBT Youth: A Workshop for Professionals who Serve Youth. [Rev. ed.]. Waltham, MA: Education Development Center, Inc.

It can be accessed at this link: https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/suicide-prevention-among-lgbt-youth-workshop-professionals-who-serve-youth-0

Training Information

There is not training available for this program.

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth.

Additional References

No reference materials are currently available for Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth.

Contact Information

Julie Ebin, EdM
Title: Senior Technical Assistance Advisor
Agency/Affiliation: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, EDC
Website: www.sprc.org
Email:
Phone: (617) 618-2257
Laurie Rosenblum, MPH
Title: Research Associate and Writer
Agency/Affiliation: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, EDC
Website: www.sprc.org
Email:
Phone: (617) 618-2450

Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed by CEBC: September 2019

Date Program Content Last Reviewed by Program Staff: August 2022

Date Program Originally Loaded onto CEBC: November 2019