There has been a significant decline in the number of suicide attempts among youngsters in the US since the legalization of Same Sex Marriage. The low suicide attempts may be linked to the LGBT community not feeling unaccepted and out of place anymore.
According to CBC News, the research found that this decision by the US Supreme Court might have a potential benefit for the mental health of the youth. Though there has been no direct connection, still this might have some kind of an impact on the youth belonging to the LGBT community. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among all US teens and is more predominant among gay, lesbian and bisexual kids. This decision can act as a reliever for a better future among them, says the study.
The researchers came to the conclusion after analyzing data from more than 700000 public high school students from 1999 to 2015, the year the announcement was made, out of which 230000 students were reported to be gay. A drop of suicide attempts by 7 percent among all students and 14 percent among gay kids has been found after the laws were implemented in 32 states. The other states, reportedly, have seen no drop in suicide rates.
According to PBS Newshour, The measures could also create more tolerance and less bullying for the gay kids, making them feel less stigmatized. More research, though, is needed to determine how the laws are going to influence teen behavior. Experts say that the study took place at a time when the suicide rate was on a rise in the US.
Another study published in Pediatrics in 2011, showed that LGBT youths were 20 percent more likely to attempt suicide if they were living in unsupportive conditions. Today, research is showing positive health effects of social policies which protect the right of the LGBT community people, as well as affect the general population's mental health.
Experts are of the opinion that irrespective of political views, the reduction in adolescent suicide attempts is a really good thing. This will improve the perspective of the gay kids and will have a positive effect on the overall population.
