LGBTQ+ youth face hurdles to care as politics mires mental health: New report
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LGBTQ+ youth across the U.S. continue to experience high rates of mental health challenges — yet they face significant hurdles to accessing mental health care, according to a new report from the Trevor Project.
The big picture: Even as the percentage of LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. continues to climb — bolstered by younger generations entering adulthood — young people in the community face persistent high rates of bullying, discrimination and restrictive policies.
- Though the policy environment for LGBTQ+ youth varies dramatically between states, the Trevor Project observed a consistent trend throughout the country: Even in the most accepting areas, LGBTQ+ youth struggled to access mental health care.
- For example, in California — where 81% of respondents said the community in which they live is accepting — half of LGBTQ+ youth wanted access to mental health care but did not receive it.
What they're saying: Walking into a therapy session can trigger a medley of questions for members of the community, said Matresa Flowers, a clinician at SMYAL, which provides therapy, peer support and other resources to LGBTQ+ young people in the D.C. area.
- "There are so many therapists — but you never know walking into a session, is this person going to see me fully? Are they safe? Can I trust them?" she said. That underscores the need for "a safe landing space" for young LGBTQ+ people seeking validating, affirming care.
- In the past few weeks, community and access to counseling have been critical. Flowers said LGBTQ+ young people in therapy feel "helpless, hopeless, confused ... scared."
- Bullying has increased, she said, with some bullies quoting "Donald Trump directly." Some youth have had their access to critical health care imperiled.
Zoom in: "Policy environment matters," says Ronita Nath, the vice president of research at the Trevor Project.
- Following the November 2024 election, the Trevor Project saw a nearly 700% increase in call volume across its crisis services.
- Nationally, 90% of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics, according to the Trevor Project's 2024 findings — and that was before Trump took office a second time.
- Broadly speaking, across the more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people surveyed for the report, those who lived in states with more protective policies reported lower rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Yes, but: It's critical to note, Nath said, that even among states with "supportive LGBTQ+ policies," LGBTQ+ youth continue to face elevated suicide risk and high rates of anti-LGBTQ+ victimization.
By the numbers: In all but two states, more than half of LGBTQ+ youth reported being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- More than 80% of states had at least one-in-three LGBTQ+ youth report that they experienced bullying in person, Nath said.
- Nationally, 84% of all LGBTQ+ young people wanted mental health care. Half were not able to get it.
Context: There are myriad reasons why young people in the community who wanted mental health care could not access it, according to the Trevor Project's findings, including price, fear they wouldn't be taken seriously or worries about sharing their mental health concerns with another person.
Zoom in: Groups like SMYAL and the Kaleidoscope Youth Center in Columbus, Ohio, are trying to overcome those barriers by ensuring LGBTQ+ youth have access to free therapy, safe spaces and, if needed, housing.
- "Our youth come to Kaleidoscope because its the one space that they're not hearing all of the negativity," said Jen Kuhn, the center's senior associate director of advancement and strategy. For many LGBTQ+ young people, they're seeking a space where they can just "be a kid."
- As legislation challenges trans and non-binary identities and limits access to care, Kuhn warned, it could perpetuate stereotypes that lead to LGBTQ+ young people being cast out of their homes.
- And even before now, she noted, "trans people had a hard time finding safe beds to sleep in."
The bottom line: In nearly every state, young people surveyed by the Trevor Project reported the same leading way people in their life can best show support and acceptance: "Trusting that I know who I am."
- "No matter where you live, or how you were raised or your comfort level with LGBTQ+ topics, it's never too late to show LGBTQ+ young people that they are loved and supported," Nath said.
Go deeper: Survey: Most Americans support protections for LGBTQ+ people
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Ayuda disponible en español.
The Trevor Project's 24/7 crisis services are available here.
