Study finds lesbian/bisexual Filipina women more likely to attempt to commit suicide compared to heterosexual counterparts

"Sexual minority (lesbian/bisexual) Filipina women were up to twice more likely to report having thought about committing suicide and having attempted to commit suicide, compared to heterosexual counterparts," a new study says.

Eric Julian Manalastas, faculty member of the Department of Psychology, University of the Philippines Diliman, in a study on "Women's Sexual-Minority Status and Suicide Risk", reported that the sexual minority status of lesbian/bisexual Filipina women was "robustly associated with both suicide ideation and suicide attempt."

"Based on a nationally representative sample, same-sex sexual orientation appears to be related to elevated suicide risk among young Filipina women," the study says.

The study finding was based on a national survey of 8,922 Filipina women ages 15 to 24 from 16 administrative regions in the Philippines.

With this finding, Mr. Manalastas gave these recommendations:
1. Run a within-group analysis (i.e., LGB only, no more heteros) to investigate minority stress processes like internalized homophobia;
2. Spread the word to Filipino mental health professional community; and
3. Spread the word to LGBT groups and stakeholders.

The Manalastas & del Pilar study in 2005 finds that in a heterosexist culture like the Philippines, being lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transexual (LGBT) confers minority status. The 2005 study says 1 out of 4 Filipinos do not want LGBT people as neighbors and 28% consider being lesbian/gay as “can never be justified.”

What do you think could be the preventive measures to prevent young Filipina lesbian/bisexual women from attempting to commit suicide?