Discrimination fuels mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ youth, national report finds
LGBTQ+ youth continue to face high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, driven by ongoing discrimination, a new report says.
A recent national report highlights the alarming mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ youth, attributing it primarily to ongoing discrimination. The Trevor Project, a leading organization for LGBTQ+ youth support, conducted a two-year study, Project SPARK, tracking nearly 1,700 young individuals aged 13 to 24 across the United States.
The study revealed that those exposed to or threatened with conversion therapy faced nearly three times higher risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, while those without a home or who had experienced victimization due to gender identity had more than double the risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation. Factors such as increasing reports of discrimination against transgender, nonbinary or gender-questioning youth, rising threats of conversion therapy, and a sharp rise in homelessness, have all contributed to this worsening situation.
Despite these challenges, the report indicates that mental health care and support can significantly mitigate these risks. Anxiety and depression rates among LGBTQ+ youth have surged, with over 40% reporting suicidal thoughts, but self-harm and suicide attempts have seen a slight decline. Access to mental health care has improved, with nearly all youth receiving the care they desired, and the helpfulness of this care has increased significantly.
However, this access is predominantly reported among adults, not minors. The report underscores the urgent need for continued protection of LGBTQ+ young people's access to care and support, emphasizing that they are never alone in their struggles.
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