LGBTQ+ Youth Struggle With Mental Health and Are Deeply Impacted by Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws, New Survey Shows

A new survey from the Trevor Project shows just how much queer and transgender young people are hurting.

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Queer and transgender youth are struggling, particularly with their mental health. Many have even considered ending their lives according to the Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.

This is the sixth year that the suicide prevention nonprofit the Trevor Project, has conducted this type of survey. The 2024 report represents more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people's experiences ranging in age from 13 to 24.

This year's survey has some startling themes: not only are LGBTQ+ young people facing suicide risk, bullying, and discrimination—but they are also reporting a major impact from anti-LGBTQ+ laws in states across the country and facing difficulties finding mental health care. This is critical as an election year heats up.

But there are also bright spots. The survey shows ways to support LGBTQ+ young people, including having affirming homes, schools, and communities, using their correct pronouns, and having all-gender bathrooms.

The Suicide Risk for LGBTQ+ Youth

Thirty-nine percent of LGBTQ+ young people considered suicide in the past year, and 12% made an attempt. Nearly half of transgender and non-binary teenagers and young adults considered suicide, and about 14% attempted it.

Transgender youth and LGBTQ+ youth of color were at even higher risk. And 48% of indigenous LGBTQ+ youth, for example, considered suicide, according to the survey.

“People with multiple intersecting identities, like LGBTQ+ youth of color, may experience multiple forms of violence that can often add up and put them at greater risk for suicide than other folks,” says Ronita Nath, vice president of research at the Trevor Project.

Those forms of violence include those threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy, those who felt that they had been discriminated against, or those who experienced physical threat or harm in the past year.

“LGBTQ+ people are not inherently prone to higher suicide risk,” Nath adds. “They're placed at higher suicide risk because of the stigma and discrimination they encounter in society.”

Queer and transgender youth also experience higher rates of depression and anxiety. According to the survey, 66% of LGBTQ young people reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, and 53% reported experiencing symptoms of depression in the past year. Again, trans youth and youth of color reported experiencing higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms.

The Impact of Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

One of the unique pressures placed on LGBTQ+ youth is the current onslaught of discriminatory legislation across the country. This year is on track to break the record for the most anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S. yet, according to the report. This situation is only worsening the mental health crisis these youth are facing.

“The legislation is undoing some of the supportive schoolwork that had been done in the last 20 or 30 years. As those things are undermined, what I'm worried about is we are going in the wrong direction with respect to mental health for LGBTQ young people,” says Stephen Russell, director of the School of Human Ecology at The University of Texas at Austin, who studies LGBTQ+ youth health.

The majority of LGBTQ+ young people said their mental health was affected some or most of the time due to anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Nearly 2 in 5 said they or their family have considered moving to a different state due to this type of politics. Although only 13% of trans and non-binary youth were on gender-affirming hormones, 61% of those who were on them were somewhat or very concerned about losing access.

Beyond causing distress and mental health challenges, the legal attacks have had other major effects on their lives.

“Nearly half of transgender and non-binary youth reported that they or their families have considered moving to a different state due to anti-LGBTQ policies or laws,” Nath says.

“As we get closer to a major election season this fall, we expect LGBTQ+ people to continue to be discussed, debated, and unfairly targeted,” she adds. “Respecting and supporting the mental health and well-being of young people should not be up for political debate.”

The Impact of a Supportive Community

Another major factor influencing LGBTQ youth’s mental health is community support. Only 40% reported that they found their home to be affirming. Thirty-two percent were verbally harassed at school for their identity, 9% were sexually harassed, and 4% were physically attacked in the past year. Additionally, 60% reported feeling like they were discriminated against at least once in the past year for their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Despite the prevalence of mental health challenges, 50% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care were unable to access it. The biggest reasons why they couldn’t access it were that they were afraid to talk about their mental health with someone else, they didn’t want to get their parent or guardian’s permission, and they were afraid they wouldn’t be taken seriously. Affordability, fear of being outed, and concern for being misunderstood were other major reasons.

Luckily, parents can lower the risk of suicide in LGBTQ youth simply by supporting them and helping to create supportive spaces and communities.

“LGBTQ+ youth report lower rates of attempting suicide when they had access to affirming spaces in communities across the board, and people who have access to [affirming] family, homes, and schools reported much lower rates of attempting suicide in the past year,” Nath says.

According to the survey, 78% of LGBTQ+ young people say they have at least one adult at school who supports their identity.

Ways to support LGBTQ+ youth include educating yourself on LGBTQ+ topics, not supporting politicians who advocate for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, supporting their gender expression and pronouns, trusting that they know who they are, welcoming their partner, expressing support on social media, and displaying pride flags.

“Letting your kid know…even if you're figuring it out yourself, even if it's difficult for you, even if you don't have all the answers, even if you are struggling with acceptance, that you love and support your kid, no matter what—that is what kids need to hear. All kids need to hear that, and especially kids who are vulnerable,” Russell says.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org, or text "START" to 741-741 to immediately speak to a trained counselor at Crisis Text Line.

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