Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people are up to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers
and transgender kids also have higher rates of suicidal behavior.
This information comes from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and spurred the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) to launch a new task force that targets LGBT young people.
The Alliance was created last September as a partnership with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Department of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.
Several suicides involving LGBT teens made headlines last year. The most notable may be the Rutgers University freshman who jumped to his death from a bridge after his private encounter with another boy was posted on the Internet.
For American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) young people ages 10-34, suicide is the second leading cause of death and is on the rise, which is why the Alliance also created a special task force targeting them.
A third task force will target suicide prevention for military service members and their families, a group also considered high-risk.
In months to come, the Alliance will look at other high-risk groups such as Latina youth, older adults and people with disabilities.