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Minority Stress Theory, Intersectionality, and Suicide Risk

Updated: Jan 31

Since September is Suicide Prevention Month, today’s post explores how suicide risks intersect with marginalized identity, focusing on statistics within LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities as examples. Let’s explore how Meyer’s Minority Stress Theory and Crenshaw’s theory of Intersectionality are relevant to the urgent need for mental health awareness and inclusive suicide prevention efforts.



Suicide affects people of all backgrounds and knows no cultural or identity-based boundaries. Risk and prevention factors vary across identities and communities, as do levels of stigma regarding suicide and mental health.


Minority Stress Theory

Meyer’s Minority Stress Theory (2003) explains discrepancies in mental health between individuals from minority groups by stating that the inherent stress of minoritization and oppression due to ongoing experiences of discrimination, prejudice and stigma that can lead to mental health difficulties.


Marginalized identity & suicide risk examples:

  • LGBTQ+ folks are at increased risk for suicidal ideation and attempts (The Trevor Project, 2021).

  • Trans people experience elevated risk of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. The percentage of trans adults who attempt suicide is not only higher than the general public, but also greater than that of cisgendered queer people (Gosling et al, 2021).

  • Suicide rates of American Indigenous youth are the highest of all racial and ethnic groups. (Ramchand R, et al, 2021).

  • From 2014-2019, suicide rates increased 30% for Bl*ck individuals and 16% for Asian or Pacific Islanders (Ramchand R, et al, 2021).

Intersectionality

Further, multiple marginalized identities overlap. Kimberle Crenshaw’s theory of Intersectionality (1991) suggests that each person’s identities ‘intersect,’ creating unique contexts and considerations that impact each individual’s health wellbeing. As marginalization already impacts mental health, the experience of multiple minoritized identities merits consideration.


Intersectional suicide risk examples:

  • Youth identifying both as multiracial and as transgender or non-binary had significantly higher levels of depression and suicidal ideation compared to cisgender white youth (Park et al, 2021).

  • "Bl*ck-Native American youth reports of SI [suicidal ideation] and SA [suicidal attempt] resembled other Native American youth and were significantly higher than those reported by Bl*ck, white, and Bl*ck-white (SA only) youth (Wiglesworth et al, 2022)." *our asterisk added

  • A 2020 analysis of differences between suicidal ideation and attempt in intersecting identities reported the following:

    • Lesbian/gay adolescents who identified as ‘other’ for race report the highest risk of suicidal ideation, yet Bisexual Native American/Indigenous Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth had the highest risk of suicide attempt (Baiden et al, 2020).

    • While BIPOC adolescents are less likely to report suicidal ideation, Hispanic lesbian/gay adolescents, Bl*ck bisexual adolescents and Native American/Indigenous Hawaiian/Pacific Islander bisexual adolescents are more likely to report making a suicide attempt (Baiden et al, 2020).

The Urgency of Intersectional Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Care

In schools, strategies to address bullying, discrimination, and suicide prevention for BIPOC is LGBTQ+ youth are necessary, as is curriculum that elevates, celebrates and recognizes achievements of current and historic Queer + BIPOC leaders. Visibility should not be underestimated as a a suicide prevention and intervention strategy itself.


It is also essential for mental health providers to develop and implement intersectional, culturally relevant prevention and intervention efforts. For example, practices need to be responsive to the unique needs of racial and ethnic minority youth who are also transgender and non-binary. Continued research into healthcare (both physical and mental) is needed for the ways intersecting identities impact wellbeing.



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