• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit ➜ CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate
happy-recovery-gay-couple

Suicidality in Older Adults is Often Overlooked Among LGBTQ

November 30, 2023 Posted by Patrick Carleton Abuse, Abuse, Addiction, Blog, LGBT addiction recovery, LGBTQ addiction
happy sober couple

It is important for LGBTQ adults to have strong relationships and support.

It has become widely known that LGBTQ adolescents and young adults have a greatly increased prevalence of suicide attempts, but unfortunately, those risks don’t end when this population reaches adulthood. The risk of suicide and suicidal ideation can persist throughout the lives of LGBTQ adults, even though it is often overlooked by mental health and medical professionals.

LGBTQ Adults Still Have Higher Suicide Risks

Many of the stresses and difficulties associated with identifying as LGBTQ as a young person continue into adulthood. It is typically more difficult for this population to get or keep a job, advance in a career, and maintain positive relationships with family compared to non-LGBTQ individuals. For example, the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that transgender adults are more likely to live in poverty (29 percent versus 14 percent), be unemployed (15 percent), and not own homes (84 percent vs. 37 percent) than the general population.

In addition, as older LGBTQ adults lose a partner or significant other to old age or other circumstances, they may not get the support and help they need to cope. Their friends and family may not consider their loss important or valid if they don’t accept their sexual orientation, which ends up making them feel even more isolated.

All of these life circumstances are associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, which can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. It is not surprising that 40 percent of transgender people and 29 percent of LGBTQ people attempt suicide over their lifetimes.

Even elderly populations that identify as LGBTQ attempt suicide at higher rates than the general population in this age group (17 percent versus 15 percent).

In addition, higher rates of substance abuse in LGBTQ adults can lead to riskier behaviors and more suicidal thoughts and actions.

Therapy group.

Support groups can help LGBTQ adults cope with upsetting life changes as they get older.

How to Help

Making sure LGBTQ adults have access to medical treatment and mental health services is one way to improve outcomes for this population. Being careful to diagnose and address mental health and substance abuse issues can save lives in the LGBTQ adult community by preventing overdoses and getting them lifesaving medications that can help them cope better.

Support and bereavement groups specific to the LGBTQ population can be an important way to address their unique needs and challenges and help them avoid becoming a statistic.

In addition, LGBTQ adults may need guidance and support to navigate available government safety net programs to provide for their physical and emotional needs.

In some cases, family counseling can strengthen or repair family-of-origin relationships, which can have a profound impact on mental health and stability.

Harris House recognizes the unique substance abuse treatment needs of LGBTQ individuals and offers support for specific problems often encountered by this population. Contact us for more information about our top-notch inpatient treatment program and other avenues of help and support for substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Share
0

About Patrick Carleton

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
Patrick Carleton has contributed 81 entries to our website, so far.View entries by Patrick Carleton

You also might be interested in

Hope for Recovery is Alive!

Sep 20, 2016

There is always hope, and always an opportunity for you[...]

Growing Gratitude in the Garden of Your Mind

Aug 4, 2022

You don’t have to pretend that negative things don’t exist.[...]

How Trauma Affects the Brain

Aug 29, 2022

Psychological trauma occurs when it is not possible to process[...]

Recent Posts

  • 2025: The Year of Self-Care in Recovery
  • New Year, New Habits: Building a Recovery-Friendly Routine for 2025
  • Staying Sober and Strong: Tips for New Year 2025
  • How to Prevent Relapse: Tips and Strategies
  • The Importance of Setting Goals in Recovery

Insurance Providers

Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

Credentialing Partners

Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

DMH Carf BBB United Way

Contact Us

Your Recovery Can Begin Now

We're here to help.

Please reach out with any questions

CONTACT US

314-631-4299

  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit ➜ CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate
About Us
Treatments
Resources
Gallery
Contact Us
Donate

Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated, non-profit treatment center. For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals.

CREDENTIALING PARTNERS
Harris House is accredited by CARF International, certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and a proud United Way partner.

CALL US TODAY

314-631-4299

Harris House Treatment Center
2706 S. River Rd
St. Charles, MO 63303

Transitional Housing
8315 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63111

© 2025 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

Prev Next
Call Now