Youth in juvenile detention centers face suicide rates significantly higher than their peers, driven by isolation, untreated mental health conditions and systemic barriers to care, according to the U.S. Office of Justice Programs.
But for LGBTQ+ youth involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, the outcomes are even worse. A new Case Western Reserve University research project aims to address the troubling disparity.
Led by Dana Prince, an associate professor at the university's Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, the study will test an innovative approach to better identify and support these youth. The project, called Youth Empowerment & Safety (YES), combines new screening and referral processes with trained peer support specialists (PSS) who share similar life experiences.
"LGBTQ+ youth in public systems face overwhelming challenges, yet their unique needs are often overlooked," Prince said. "With YES, we're not just addressing gaps in care-we're creating a model for how systems can do better. These young people deserve services that affirm their identities and help them feel safe and supported."
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people between ages 10 and 24-and LGBTQ+ youth are particularly at risk, according to the OJP. Those in public systems, such as foster care or juvenile detention, Prince said, face even greater odds due to compounding factors like stigma, discrimination and mistrust of providers. The goal, she said, is to pair these young people with affirming peer mentors who can help them navigate barriers to care and connect with needed services.
A new $768,000, three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health will pilot the YES program at two Cleveland sites: the Juvenile Justice Early Intervention and Diversion Center and Frontline Services, a community mental health agency. These organizations regularly interact with LGBTQ+ youth but currently lack tailored support programs.
By focusing on both system-wide practices and individual outcomes, Prince's team hopes to reduce stigma, improve service engagement, and, ultimately, save lives.
"Peer support is a powerful tool," she said, adding that she's joined in the initiative by the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland and Colors+ and several youth advocates. "When young people feel seen and understood, it can make all the difference."
If successful, the YES model could be adopted by public systems nationwide, offering an affordable and effective way to address youth suicide, Prince said.
