Advancing Research on Suicide Risk and Prevention in LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults: Challenges and Future Directions
Keynote 18 - Advancing Research on Suicide Risk and Prevention in LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults: Challenges and Future Directions
Saturday, June 27, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Location: Golden Gate B, B2 Level
Earn 1 Credit
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Suicide, Level of Familiarity: Basic to moderate Recommended Readings: Clark, K. A., Kellerman, J. K., Argiros, A. P., Phillips, K. L., Park, E. C., Cyperski, M., Pachankis, J. E., & Kleiman, E. (2024). Real-time exposure to negative news media and suicidal ideation intensity among LGBTQ+ young adults. JAMA Pediatrics, 178(11), 1155-1163. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.3133 , Clark, K. A., Salway, T., McConocha, E. M., & Pachankis, J. E. (2022). How do sexual and gender minority people acquire the capability for suicide? Voices from survivors of near-fatal suicide attempts. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 2, 100044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100044 , Pachankis, J. E., & Clark, K. A. (2025). The mental health of sexual minority individuals: Five explanatory theories and their implications for intervention and future research. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 21, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081423-022014 " , ,
Assistant Professor Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee, United States
LGBTQ+ youth and young adults face substantially higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors as compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers, yet less is known about why they have heightened risk and what can be done to prevent it. In this keynote, Dr. Kirsty A. Clark will summarize current epidemiological trends in LGBTQ+ youth suicide and present theory-driven research informed by minority stress theory, the interpersonal theory of suicide, narrative possibilities, and social safety frameworks to explain these disparities. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative evidence from her team's work, she will identify key risk and protective factors for suicide in LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Dr. Clark will also discuss how these findings can guide the development and adaptation of targeted interventions. Finally, drawing on her experiences working in Tennessee, USA, she will reflect on the ethical, safety, and practical considerations of conducting LGBTQ+ youth suicide research in a politicized era.
Learning Objectives:
Summarize current epidemiological trends in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.
Explain theoretical frameworks that may account for elevated suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.
Identify key risk and protective factors for suicide in LGBTQ+ youth and young adults based on qualitative and quantitative research.
.jpg "Kirsty A. Clark, Ph.D. photo")