Gay teens face high suicide risk.Among teens represented in a new study, those who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual were more than three times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youths, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a study published in the May Archives of Pediatric pediatric /pe·di·at·ric/ (pe?de-at´rik) pertaining to the health of children. pe·di·at·ric adj. Of or relating to pediatrics. & Adolescent Medicine adolescent medicine n. The branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of youth between 13 and 21 years of age. Also called ephebiatrics, hebiatrics. . The statistics--gathered from a 1995 survey of 4,167 Massachusetts high school students--showed that students who identified as gay, bisexual, or unsure of their sexual orientation sexual orientation n. The direction of one's sexual interest toward members of the same, opposite, or both sexes, especially a direction seen to be dictated by physiologic rather than sociologic forces. were 3.4 times more likely to have attempted suicide within the previous year. Robert Garofalo, a pediatrician who was the study's lead researcher, urged greater attention to the overall ways gay teens may feel especially marginalized and isolated. "To me, it's a cry for help that these kids are at risk," Garofalo said. "I hope it opens people's eyes to some creative interventions." |
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