Anti-Discrimination Protections and Suicide Rates
Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects people from all walks of life. It can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, communities, and society at large. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year approximately 48,0000 Americans take their own lives. In this article, I will explore how anti-discrimination protections impact suicide rates among various groups, including racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The CDC reports that African American men are more likely than other groups to die by suicide. They also report that Hispanic women experience higher rates of attempted suicide than any other group. The reasons behind these disparities are complicated and multifaceted but may include historical trauma, systemic racism, and lack of access to mental health care. Anti-discrimination laws and policies protecting these populations have been shown to reduce suicide rates in some cases.
When California passed a law prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in 2016, researchers found a significant decline in suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth. Similarly, when Massachusetts implemented a statewide program to promote cultural competency training for clinicians treating diverse patient populations, they saw a decrease in suicide attempts among Latinos. These findings suggest that addressing structural barriers such as discrimination through policy changes can have positive outcomes for vulnerable groups.
LGBTQ+ Individuals
LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges when it comes to suicide risk. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide. This is due in part to societal stigma and discrimination.
Studies have shown that anti-discrimination protections can help to mitigate this risk. When New York City passed an ordinance banning conversion therapy in 2019, the number of transgender adults reporting depression decreased significantly.
States with comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people tend to have lower rates of attempted suicide compared to those without such protections. These results indicate that legal protections can play an important role in reducing suicide among this population.
People With Disabilities
People with disabilities also experience higher rates of suicide than the general population. The CDC reports that one in five Americans who die by suicide has a disability. Anti-discrimination laws can help to reduce these disparities by ensuring access to services and resources.
When California implemented its Mental Health Services Act in 2004, there was a significant decrease in suicide attempts among young adults with mental health conditions. Similarly, researchers found that after passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, individuals with disabilities experienced greater self-determination and reduced barriers to employment, which may have contributed to lower suicide rates.
Addressing structural barriers like discrimination through policies such as anti-discrimination protections can have positive outcomes for vulnerable populations at risk of suicide. While more research is needed to understand the long-term impact of these measures on suicide rates, existing evidence suggests that they can be effective in reducing suicide attempts and improving well-being. Policymakers should prioritize the implementation of anti-discrimination protections to support marginalized groups and improve public health.
How do anti-discrimination protections impact suicide rates?
Discrimination can be defined as the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their perceived group membership. It has negative psychological consequences that may lead to feelings of social isolation, rejection, anger, frustration, depression, and hopelessness. Anti-discrimination laws aim to protect individuals from being treated differently because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or other characteristics.