National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month is an annual celebration in June of the LGBTQ community. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health stands firmly alongside LGBTQ youth and adults, working to help eliminate discrimination and create a more accepting culture.

“We must continue talking about LGBTQ awareness - not only during Pride Month, but all year long,” said Devereux Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical/Medical Officer Yolanda Graham, M.D., “Changing our culture and protecting LGBTQ individuals - especially our youth - is not a ‘one-and-done’ educational campaign. As long as LGBTQ youth are marginalized, discriminated against, bullied and at risk of suicide, the conversation needs to continue.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), suicide is one of the leading causes of death for LGBTQ individuals, ages 10 to 24.

NAMI states that LGBTQ youth are four times more likely, and questioning youth are three times more likely, to attempt suicide, experience suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm, compared to heterosexual youth.