Trauma-Informed Suicide Prevention with LGBTQ+ Adolescents: An Interview with Lucas Zullo, PhD
This webinar is designed primarily for mental health professionals, including therapists, psychologists, and social workers who work with LGBTQ+ youths. It will also be valuable for educators, school staff, youth-serving organizations, and mentors or advocates supporting young people.
Suicide rates among adolescents have risen across the past two decades, particularly among LGBTQ+ youths. According to The Trevor Project’s recent surveys and research:
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14 and the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds.
- 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
- This rate is higher for transgender and nonbinary youth, with 46% seriously considering suicide.
- LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their peers.
These alarming statistics underscore the importance of suicide prevention as a fundamental component of professional development in youth-serving fields.
In this webinar interview, Dr. Lucas Zullo, an expert in family-focused evidence-based suicide prevention, discusses his work on trauma-informed approaches that aim to promote safety and prevent any unintended re-traumatization. Dr. Zullo introduces topics such as:
- Navigating language considerations when discussing suicidality and LGBTQ+ adolescents
- Employing sensitive approaches to exploring young clients’ sexuality
- Best practices for initiating conversations about suicide
- Addressing heightened risk factors without making identity-based assumptions
- Strategies for recognizing and mitigating secondary trauma and burnout among professionals
- Accessing evidence-based resources that are available to professionals
Fortunately, research highlights several protective factors that can mitigate suicide risk, including the presence of a trusted confidante, family acceptance, safe environments, supportive adults, hope, and resilience-building strategies. By leveraging these factors and adopting a trauma-informed approach, professionals can make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable adolescents.
Who's Presenting
Lucas Zullo, PhD
Lucas Zullo, PhD (He/Him) is the Clinical and Fellowship Director of the David Farber Advancement of Suicide Prevention Intervention, Research, and Education (ASPIRE) Center and Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University. He has over a decade of experience providing family-focused, evidence-based suicide prevention care in a variety of settings, including intensive outpatient, inpatient, consult liaison, and the emergency department. He prides himself on delivering evidence-based care with rigorous clinical fidelity while also making therapy engaging and accessible to families in order to maximize clinical outcomes. As Clinical Director, Dr. Zullo has a passion for community-partnered, equity driven care and is committed to making the services provided by the ASPIRE Center available to all families seeking care.