LGB students at higher risk of suicides, self-harm

University students who are lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) are at higher risk of self-harm and attempting suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, a study has found.

The study, by researchers from the University of Manchester and Leeds Beckett University in the UK, shows that low self-esteem may explain the increased risk of self-harm in LGB students.

Low self-esteem may result in LGB students who have faced discrimination or have struggled to accept or share their sexuality with others, according to the study published in the journal Archives of Suicide Research.

"This study confirms that lesbian, gay or bisexual young people have elevated rates of suicidality and self-harm compared with heterosexual youth," said Elizabeth McDermott of Lancaster University.

"We know much less about how LGB young people seek help for their mental health problems, or what type of support would be effective," said McDermott.

Of the LGB students who completed an online questionnaire, 65 per cent had carried out non suicidal self-harm over their lifetime compared to 41 per cent of heterosexual students.

Self-harm typically includes behaviour such as cutting, hair pulling, scratching, burning or non-lethal overdoses.

About 35 per cent of LGB students had attempted suicide in their lifetime compared to 14 per cent of non-LGB students.

The study was completed by of 707 students with an average age of 23 from two English Universities of which 119 self-identified as LGB.