Content Warning: Suicide
During June, we want to acknowledge and recognize the importance of Pride Month. Since the 1970’s people have been marching and getting together in June to reflect, celebrate, and continue activism for LGBTQ+ rights.
There can be a significant impact on a person’s mental health due to the discrimination, prejudice, denial of civil and human rights, harassment and family rejection that individuals in the LGBTQ+ community too often encounter. This mental health impact can be even more significant for those with intersecting racial or socioeconomic identities.
- LGB adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition
- Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals to experience a mental health condition
- LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers
How can we support the Mental Health of the LGBTQ+ community?
- Having at least one accepting adult can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt among LGBTQ+ young people by 40 percent
- Affirming spaces and activities can serve as a preventive measure for mental health concerns of LGBTQ+ youth and adults.
- The presence of Gender and Sexualities Alliances (GSAs) has been found to significantly reduce the risk for depression and increase well-being among LGBTQ youth and young adults
- Policies and practices that support transgender and nonbinary youth significantly reduce suicide attempts.
Transgender and nonbinary youth attempt suicide less when…
- their pronouns are respected
- they are allowed to officially change the gender marker on their legal documents
- they have access to spaces (online, at school, and home) that affirm their gender identity
Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Community
- LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564 (Youth & Adult)
- LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743 (Up to age 25)
- LGBT National Senior Hotline: 888-234-7243 (Seniors age 50 & above)
- SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline: 877-360-5428
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 Text ‘START’ to 678-678
Contact AACA if you are not currently seeing a clinician and would like to set up an appointment with one of our providers.
Resources:
Accepting Adults Reduce Suicide Attempts Among LGBTQ Youth – The Trevor Project
Facts About LGBTQ Youth Suicide – The Trevor Project
The History of Pride
The Trevor Project: 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
The Trevor Project National Survey
Today in History – June 28 | Library of Congress
