Nearly Half of LGBTQ Youth Considered Suicide in the Past Year

The Trevor Project recently released key findings from its 2023 United States National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ young people, revealing that nearly half of LGBTQ youth in the US have seriously considered suicide in the past years. That finding and other jarring data point to a more significant issue for LGBTQ mental health and access to care.

The Trevor Project is a nonprofit LGBTQ mental health organization whose primary goal is to prevent suicide in that community. This year, the organization surveyed 28,000 LGBTQ people in the US between 13 and 24. The company has conducted these surveys for five years, and each year the data has emphasized an increased suicide risk among young LGBTQ individuals.

One critical point they emphasize in this year’s study is the high number of LGBTQ youth that have seriously considered suicide in the past year, with 41% reporting that they have. Transgender men and women have even higher rates, at 56% and 48%, respectively.

Beyond considerations of suicide, the data revealed that roughly 14% of LGBTQ had attempted suicide in the past year. Suicide attempt rates were significantly lower for cisgender men and women, at 6% and 8%, respectively, than for transgender men and women, at 23% and 16%.

There were also racial and ethnic disparities in attempted suicide rates, with 11% of White youth attempting suicide, lower than the overall average. Comparatively, Native/Indigenous, Middle Eastern/North African, and Multiracial young LGBTQ people have higher rates of attempted suicide at 22%, 18%, and 17%, respectively.

Although LGBTQ young people are at a higher risk for mental illness and self-harm, 56% of the individuals surveyed stated they wanted or sought mental health treatment but could not access it. One of the leading barriers to care was fear, with many individuals reporting that they were afraid to disclose mental health issues. Other factors included lack of permission from a guardian, fear of not being taken seriously, and cost.

In addition to surveying the current mental health status of participants, the Trevor project added a twist to this year’s survey, asking patients to describe what it would be like to live in a world accepting LGBTQ people.

Overwhelmingly, the responses indicated a more positive outlook, with respondents saying it would be better, more peaceful, and happier.

As the Trevor Project, healthcare providers, and other organizations support LGBTQ individuals, those wishing to help improve the mental health of their LGBTQ peers and loved ones may consider learning about the following topics that respondents emphasized in the study:

• Support/acceptance
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Pronouns
• Creating safe spaces
• The gender binary
• Micro-aggressions
• Racism

Intersectionality