Teen suicide attempts fell as same-sex marriage became legal

[progressoid]

Source: Washington Post

CHICAGO — Teen suicide attempts in the U.S. declined after same-sex marriage became legal and the biggest impact was among gay, lesbian and bisexual kids, a study found.

The research found declines in states that passed laws allowing gays to marry before the Supreme Court made it legal nationwide. The results don’t prove there’s a connection, but researchers said policymakers should be aware of the measures’ potential benefits for youth mental health.

~snip~

In 32 states that enacted same-sex marriage laws during the study, suicide attempts dropped 7 percent among all students and 14 percent among gay kids after the laws were passed. There was no change in suicide attempts in states without those laws.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/teen-suicide-attempts-fell-as-same-sex-marriage-became-legal/2017/02/20/39ae02aa-f786-11e6-aa1e-5f735ee31334_story.html?utm_term=.69c9c2dc8a43

[RKP5637]

1. K&R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Stuart G]

2. k and r..nt

[Hekate]

3. KnR

[TDale313]

4. K&R

[Faux pas]

5. Hallelujah!

[Aristus]

6. Wonderful!...

[Initech]

7. See? Our policies save lives!

[N77VG]

8. Unhappily there are some who think this

is a bad thing.

[Wounded Bear]

10. I know. Sad, eh?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. there will always be psychopaths and sociopaths in the world

but let us at least have some good news, and be able to celebrate it without worrying about psychopaths

[N77VG]

16. Indeed. And sometimes they get elected...

[Skittles]

9. who knew being validated as a human being could be theraputic?

[Crash2Parties]

11. Marriage equality was just a symbol. It let them know they have a future of not being singled out.

President Obama's terms in office were so amazing for our communities. For the first time, our youth had *hope* and could see themselves finishing school, getting a job, falling in love, maybe raising a family and growing old with someone they love. And it would be no big deal. They could spend their energy on *life*, just like everyone else.

[HoneyBadger]

13. Since 1/3 of gun violence deaths are suicide, seems like same sex marriage will reduce gun violence

Amazing.

Combined with medical marijuana reducing DUI fatalities, I think that we have a solution to the problem of teen deaths.

Legalize what people want, life is worth living.

[EX500rider]

22. Actually more like 2/3

[NickB79]

14. Hope is a powerful thing

And giving gay teenagers hope that they could grow up to be accepted as they are, and not feel like outcasts, saves lives.

[LittleGirl]

15. This is so great to see!

I'm so happy for my fellow citizens to have freedom to be humans! Just like us.

[displacedtexan]

17. Excellent news!!!

So shines a good deed in a weary world.
W. Wonka

[Egnever]

18. Duh

[Yavin4]

19. These days, good news like this seem even brighter

Stuff like this gives me hope that things will get better and motivate me to fight on even more.

[smirkymonkey]

20. K&R

[Adrahil]

21. Don't worry! President Bannon will fix that horrible decline!!!

I'm delighted to hear that news, and dread that new attacks on LGBT youth will reverse it.