Are schools doing enough to prevent LGBT suicides?

“My focus would be on family, friends and victim advocates. They would be the most effective in preventing a suicide because of their emotional connection to the person. I don’t have a lot of faith in a school’s ability to help. They would just be paying lip service.”

“Yes, because I don’t think suicide prevention is anything a school can help with. If a person feels they can’t handle life anymore, a school can’t change that feeling. People have to feel good about themselves. A school can’t change how you feel about yourself.”

“No, because Catholic schools could have gay-straight alliances — though I know that’s an unrealistic expectation. We had one at the Quaker high school I attended. But my girlfriend went to a Catholic school, and she didn’t have one. It’s a shame.”

“At the University of the Arts, where I’m a student, there are so many internal supports for LGBT students. I can’t think of anything more that could be done by our school [to prevent a suicide]. There’s only so much a school can do, especially if the person’s family isn’t supportive.”