Two new publications released recently share important information on mental health among LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. One summarizes the results in the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (2021/2022 NSDUH) related to mental health for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults, and the other offers findings from a nationwide survey on mental health among LGBTQ+ teens and young adults conducted by The Trevor Project in early 2024.
To read our previous articles on Pride Month 2024, please visit the blog on our website and have a look at these posts:
How Can I Support My LGBTQ+ Teen Who Just Came Out During Pride Month?
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month: A List of ALL the Parades
In this article, we’ll share the results of the two publications we list above, as well as answers to specific survey questions in the Trevor Project report that can help us support our LGBTQ+ teens and young adults in ways that encourage and empower them to live their lives in a manner that’s true to their individual gender and sexual identity.
Mental Health and LGBTQ+ Teens and Young Adults
Since 2020, reports about a mental health crisis among teens abound. The various consequences of the pandemic exacerbated our collective concerns, but in fact, the increased rates of mental health problems among teens and young adults began around 2012, when rates of suicide and suicidal ideation began to increase each year.
Then, in 2021, the Surgeon General of the U.S. released a report called Protecting Youth Mental Health. That report offered details on increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among youth and teens. The reports we discuss in this article follow up on that publication, but with a specific focus on mental health in the LGBTQ+ community.
First, we’ll look at the latest data on suicidality.
Suicidal Behavior: LGBTQ+ Teens and Young Adults
Considered Suicide (Past Year):
- 13-17: 46%
- 18-24: 33%
Teens and young adults who identified as pansexual (47%) or questioning (43%) considered suicide at higher rates than gay (35%), lesbian (38%), asexual (33%) or queer (41%) peers.
Attempted Suicide (Past Year):
- 13-17: 16%
- 18-24: 8%
Teens and young adults who identified as pansexual (16%) (15%) or questioning attempted suicide at higher rates than gay (11%), lesbian (10%), asexual (9%) or queer (12%) peers.
Anxiety and Depression: Mental Health and LGBTQ+ Teens /Young Adults
Reported Symptoms of Anxiety:
- 13-17: 67%
- 18-24: 65%
Teens and young adults who identified as pansexual (71%) or queer (70%) reported at higher rates of anxiety symptoms than gay (57%), lesbian (67%), asexual (66%) peers.
Reported Symptoms of Depression:
- 13-17: 57%
- 18-24: 49
Teens and young adults who identified as pansexual (59%) or questioning (59%) reported at higher rates than gay (46%), lesbian (52%), queer (55%), or asexual (52%) peers.
In addition, survey results showed that most (84%) percent of LGBTQ+ teens and adults wanted some form of mental health care, but only half (50%) of LGBTQ+ teens and youth who wanted mental health care got it.
Mental Health Treatment and LGBTQ+ Teens and Young Adults
The results of the Trevor Project survey show that only half of the LGBTQ+ youth who wanted treatment got treatment. Experts may speculate about the reasons for this treatment gap, but the survey asked the question directly, in order to find out from LGBTQ+ youth themselves.
Here are the top ten reasons they cited for not accessing treatment:
- 42% said they were afraid to talk about my mental health.
- 40% said it was too expensive.
- 37% were afraid to ask for permission from parent/caregiver.
- 34% thought providers wouldn’t take them seriously.
- 31% were afraid someone will call the police/institutionalize them against their will.
- 28% thought treatment wouldn’t help.
- 24% were not out, and were afraid of being outed.
- 22% didn’t think anyone would understand them.
- 22% didn’t want people to think something was wrong with them.
- 20% had prior bad experiences with treatment.
When we read those reasons, we know we need to redouble our efforts to make the best evidence-based mental health treatment available and accessible to anyone who needs it. We can help them by offering effective support and care, but that’s not the only way to help LGBTQ+ teens and youth with or without mental health issues.
How We Can Support LGBTQ+ Youth, According to Them
The Trevor Project survey asked a series of questions to explore exactly what makes LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, seen, and heard. First, they asked if the communities they live in support them. Here’s what they said about the communities where they live.
How Accepting is Your Community?
- Very unaccepting: 13%
- Somewhat unaccepting: 23%
- Somewhat accepting: 48%
- Very accepting: 16%
Let’s be realistic about this. The figures show that less than 1/5th of LGBTQ+ youth live in a community that accepts them unconditionally. Regardless of how accepting we, as adults, think we are, what matters is the lived experience of LGNTAQ+ youth. They’re telling use we need to do better – and that’s what we work to do every day.
Next, let’s look at the places LGBTQ+ youth say are most affirming:
- Online: 68%
- School: 52%
- Home: 40%
- Community Events: 20%
- Work: 36%
- Worship: 3%
These results are something to consider as we navigate the cultural conversation on social media/internet use among youth. Currently, it’s en vogue to advocate restricting young people from internet or social media access. We’re not for or against this movement: we think it depends on the teen and their specific circumstances. However, if 68 percent of LGBTQ+ youth say they feel affirmed online and only 40 percent say they feel affirmed at home, we should be mindful of the role online communities play in their lives. They may be a positive force, and we don’t want to take away a place where they feel real connection and community.
How We Can Support LGBTQ+ Youth, According to Them
As adults, we make assumptions about what the young people in our life want and need. Sometimes we’re right, and sometimes we’re wrong. We know the best way to show support for our own children is to love them unconditionally, no matter what.
But what do LGBTQ+ youth themselves say about how we can best support them? The Trevor Project asked, and here’s how they replied:
Top Ten Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Youth for Adults and Non-LGBTQ+ People
- 88% want people to trust that they know who they are.
- 81% want people to stand up for them in public.
- 77% said adults/non-LGBTQ+ people can support them by not supporting ant-LGBTQ+ policies
- 62% want people to learn more about the LGBTQ+ experience.
- 59% want respect for their pronouns.
- 57% want support for their gender expression.
- 56% want people to ask more questions about LGBTQ+ identities.
- 55% want the adults in their lives to accept their partner(s).
- 44% want adults/non-LGBTQ+ people to show support on social media.
- 43% said displaying pride flags is a good way to show support.
Our takeaway from this list is that flying a flag and showing support online are helpful, but at the bottom of the list. What LGBTQ+ youth want most is for us to trust that they know who they are, and they’re the experts on their gender identity, gender expression, and sexual identity. After that, they want people to stick up for them out in public, out in the world.
The LGBTQ+ teens and young adults have spoken – and we owe it to them to listen.
