Police are often involved in crisis response for acute suicidality among youth. Marginalized youth live at the intersection of systemic oppression (e.g., gendered racism) and socio-structural processes (e.g., criminalization), including victimization from police, while also experiencing high rates of suicidality. The current analysis explored how discomfort with police differed at the intersection of social positions (sexual, gender, and racial identity) and history of suicidality (lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempt), among a representative sample (N=36,513) of 8th grade students in Minnesota. The findings have implications for who should be a part of crisis response teams, how oppressive systems contribute to youth health disparities, and how interventions can center youth voices.
Presentation date: May 7, 2024