POINT-COUNTERPOINT
Depression and Suicide
Several readers noted the absence of any discussion of the role that homosexual orientation might play in depression and suicide among teenagers (Brent, Pediatrics in Review. 1993;14:380-388).
Dr. Brent responds: ". . .My reason for not including homosexuality as a risk factor was not because I regard gay and lesbian youth as invisible, but because I don't think the literature firmly supports such an association between homosexuality and completed suicide. If one follows one's clinical intuition and experience, it certainly makes sense that the emergence of a gay identity would be extremely stressful in our society. However, the data are not there to support this association, in my opinion. Often cited is the 1989 report, which states that 30% of adolescent suicide victims are homosexual...the seven psychological autopsy studies of adolescents and young adults reported to date do not address the issue at all. . .While I agree with your general point that the issue of homosexuality deserves greater attention and that clinically, an association between homosexuality and suicidal risk makes intuitive sense, the data are not conclusive. I appreciate your bringing this issue to my attention because it is an important one that should be investigated more thoroughly in the future."
