RHP&EO is the electronic journal of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education

The need for developing strategies for suicide prevention among young lesbian women and gay men: empirical and theoretical rationales

Asle Offerdal(1) and Norman Anderssen(2)

1) Studenenes psykiske helsetjeneste, Universitetet i..Bergen, Ha-ns Tanksgate 11 N-5028 BERGEN; 2) Research Center for Health Promotion, University of ' Bergen, Oisteinsgt.3, N-5007 BERGEN

Recently published studies from US indicate that young lesbian women and gay men constitute important risk-groups for committing suicide. 18-40% of the young lesbians and gays in the samples studied had tried to commit suicide. Persons in these risk groups are estimated to be 2-6 times more likely to commit suicide compared to the general young population. There are no empirical studies showing the prevalence of suicide and suicide attempts among young lesbians and gays in Norway. However, to the degree that gender, family, and sexuality discourses are basically the same in US and Norway, young lesbians and gays constitute a high risk group for committing suicide also in Norway. In the recently released "Agenda for suicide prevention" from the Norwegian Board of Health (Statens Helsetilsyn), young lesbians and gays are listed among the high risk groups. No specific strategies are formulated, however, to lower the risk for committing suicide in these groups.

The paper will present empirical evidence for the existence of stigma connected to homosexuality in Norway (national surveys of attitudes towards gays and lesbians). Further, the processes of identifying and coming out as lesbian or gay will be addressed. The emphasis will be put upon one of the central theories within developmental psychology, the theories of Heinz Kohut, and upon the specific needs of children and young people that this perspective imply.

We argue that one of the main strategies for reducing risk of committing suicide among young lesbians and gays goes through removing the stigma connected to homosexuality. Thus, the target for intervention is the total population and not only young gay persons. The school is held out as one of the most important places to reach the total population of young persons, through giving children and adolescents proper information about homosexuality and providing them with role models. However, there are signs that the important "Curriculum guidelines for compulsory education in Norway" (Monsterplanen) will open up for more conservative and homo-negative viewpoints in the schools.

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