This article was published on May 17th, 2021

The Trevor Project has been a powerful advocate for American queer youth for many years and the group has made tremendous strides within and beyond the community in dissecting and disseminating information about the youth that has spoken to greater society. Their new findings have placed a spotlight on mental health among young people and HomoCulture breaks down the data released and its implications on queer youth and its future impact. 

The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for (LGBTQ+ young people, recently released the findings of its 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, using data from nearly 35,000 LGBTQ youth (ages 13-24) across the United States. The third annual survey finds that 42% of respondents seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. An astounding 42% of LGBTQ youth, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth, seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Yet nearly half could not access the mental health care they desired. Other findings from the study include the following:

• More than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful — and only 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming.
• Among LGBTQ respondents, 12% of white youth attempted suicide compared to 31% of Native/Indigenous youth, 21% of Black youth, 21% of multiracial youth, 18% of Latinx youth, and 12% of Asian/Pacific Islander youth.
• Transgender and nonbinary youth attempt suicide less when respect is given to their pronouns, and they are allowed to officially change their legal documents.

A Wake-Up Call for Mental Health During COVD Crisis

In addition to highlighting the serious challenges faced by queer youth, the new data also underscores the importance of LGBTQ-affirming spaces and practices. The study also speaks to the potential impacts of current events, with 94% of LGBTQ youth reporting that recent politics negatively impacted their mental health and 70% stating that their mental health was “poor” most of the time or always during COVID-19. Half of all LGBTQ youth of color reported discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in the past year, including 67% of Black LGBTQ youth and 60% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth. The CEO and Executive Director of The Trevor Project, Amit Paley issued a statement on the recent findings:

“The past year has been incredibly difficult for so many LGBTQ young people because of multiple crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the hostile political climate and repeated acts of racist and transphobic violence. This data makes clear that LGBTQ youth face unique mental health challenges and continue to experience disparities in access to affirming care, family rejection, and discrimination. We are proud that this survey sample is our most diverse yet, with 45% being LGBTQ youth of color and 38% being transgender or nonbinary. The data speaks to the wide variety of experiences and identities held by LGBTQ youth across the country, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, intersectional policy solutions to confront systemic barriers and end suicide.”

Across The Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis services platforms, LGBTQ youth have faced incredible challenges over the last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reveals more than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated COVID-19 made their living situations more stressful, with only 1 in 3 youth finding their home to be LGBTQ-affirming. Nearly 40% of LGBTQ youth reported losing a job during the pandemic, and 30% of LGBTQ youth reported having trouble affording enough food in the past month, including half of all Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and more than 1 in 3 Black and Latinx LGBTQ youth. Historically, both unemployment and food insecurity issues have been consistent risk factors for suicide. COVID-19 and the economic strain it caused have negatively impacted LGBTQ youth’s mental health and sense of self.

The pandemic limited many LGBTQ youth’s abilities to express their identity, with nearly half of LGBTQ youth stating that COVID-19 impacted their ability to express their sexual orientation. Approximately 60% of transgender and nonbinary youth stated the pandemic impacted their ability to express their gender identity.

Discrimination Affecting LGBTQ+ Youth

There is no question that suicide rates are more pronounced in at-risk youth, and for those that have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or race/ethnicity, the following data was recently released through The Trevor Project:

• 75% of LGBTQ youth reported that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime, and more than half said they experienced this discrimination in the past year.
• Half of all LGBTQ youth of color reported discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in the past year, including 67% of Black LGBTQ youth and 60% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth.
• 36% of LGBTQ youth who experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity reported attempting suicide, while only 7% of LGBTQ youth who did not experience discrimination reported attempting suicide.

Conversion therapy has been a heated topic for years across the nation, with many states banning the process through legislation. It still is prevalent in some communities, however, and LGBTQ youth who were subjected to conversion therapy reported more than twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who were not. Further stats indicate that:

• 13% of LGBTQ youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy, including 21% of Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and 14% of Latinx LGBTQ youth. 
• Transgender and nonbinary youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy at twice the rate of cisgender LGBQ youth.
• LGBTQ youth who reported being subjected to conversion therapy were an average of 15 years old at the time, with 83% of LGBTQ youth reporting that it occurred when they were younger than 18.

Supporting Safe Spaces

In the third year of this annual survey through The Trevor Project, gaps have been filled in considerably, yet the fact remains that there is still not enough data on LGBTQ youth mental health and suicide risk to raise public awareness and improve public health interventions. The limited statistics mean that lawmakers, public health officials, and youth-serving organizations must be encouraged to focus on the protective factors illuminated in the data, which point to best practices on how to better support LGBTQ young people. Queer-affirming spaces and transgender-inclusive policies and practices are consistently associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.

Survey results demonstrate that respecting transgender and nonbinary youth’s pronouns and allowing them to change their name and/or gender marker on legal documents are also associated with lower rates of attempting suicide. Paley added:

“To all the lawmakers considering anti-transgender bills across the county — we urge you to take a hard look at this evidence and take time out of your day to actually meet with the transgender and nonbinary youth who would be harmed by your misguided proposals. Affirming a young person in their gender identity is strongly associated with lower suicide risk. That’s why we should be expanding systems of support and implementing more inclusive policies, not denying trans youth access to affirming spaces and care.”

The Impact of Online Spaces on Mental Health

Youth of today have all the problems of their predecessors coupled with online stress that is still being dissected as the digital realm continues to expand. The findings by The Trevor Project show the impact of the digital space and education on queer youth. 

• Nearly 7 in 10 LGBTQ youth had access to online spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity. Interestingly, an overwhelming majority of LGBTQ youth said that social media has both positive (96%) and negative (88%) impacts on their mental health and well-being.
• Half of all LGBTQ youth said that their school was LGBTQ-affirming.

Being able to use the internet to find a safe space and to be supported by like-minded individuals is having a profound effect on LGBTQ+ youth and how they see themselves. The notion that half of LGBTQ+ youth find solace in their educational institutions demonstrates that progress is being made in this area and is a major step up from previous decades. 

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678678.