Many gays and lesbians already are well educated on the warning signs of suicide, he said. Harbin said suicide is a tough topic to discuss, since being stoic is a value in American society. But Clark noted almost 75 percent of all people have some type of suicidal thoughts in their lifetimes. According to research done by the University of Minnesota, of 36,254 junior high and high school students in Minnesota who were used for the study, reports found gay students are seven times more likely to try and kill themselves than heterosexual students. Males are more likely to kill themselves than women, but women are more likely to repeatedly attempt suicide, according to the department.
People are nine times more likely to commit suicide if they have a history of it in their family.
Other risk factors include keeping a firearm in the house, ending a significant relationship, losing a job, losing a family member and abusing drugs or alcohol. Harbin also said substance abuse is higher in the lesbian and gay community. These allusions may come in the form of direct threats. This can also include mysterious comments about their life, or the person may start putting their financial and personal affairs in order. The person may develop a preoccupation with death.