5 Little-Known Facts about LGBTQ+ Youth and Mental Health
LGBTQ+ youth face specific struggles relating to their sexuality, gender, or gender expression. Bullying is more common, and rejection at home can put them greater at risk for developing mental health issues and dealing with increased stress. Here are some facts to put things into perspective and some tips on how you can help LGBTQ+ kids and teens feel supported…
LGBTQ+ individuals are more than twice as likely as their straight peers to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. They are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared to heterosexual individuals.
86% of LGBTQ+ youth reported being harassed or assaulted at school, which can affect their mental health and self esteem.
42% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year (based on research collected in 2021), including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. A 2016 study suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth consider suicide at nearly three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
A study conducted by The Trevor Project reported that two out of three participants reported that someone had tried to convince them to change their sexual orientation. This type of behavior can lead to higher rates of depression and leave youth feeling isolated.
LGBTQ+ youth are also more likely to experience violence, which can affect their mental health and general wellbeing. In a one study, the CDC found that 10% of LGBTQ+ students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property. 18% of LGBTQ+ students had experiences sexual dating violence, and 18% of students had experienced physical dating violence. All of these are higher than the rate of their straight peers.
LGBTQ+ youth are at a greater risk of bullying, suicide, violence, homelessness, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Therefore, acceptance and support is so important with these students. LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide. Let your home be that safe space. Let your therapist’s office be that safe space. Allow your children to be free to explore their world and find acceptance.
Since LGBTQ+ youth experience mental health issues at higher rates, therapy can be a useful tool. It provides a safe space for your child to process tough emotions and situations, and it teaches them coping skills like emotion regulation to help them face potentially difficult situations in the future in a healthy manner. Providing your child with a safe space, both at home with family, and also on their own with a trusted adult or peers (such as group therapy), can be so important in helping these mental health problems. Consider the various ways you can reduce these high statistics among LGBTQ+ youth and support your child’s mental health journey.