LGBTQ+
No one is alone;
we are all in this together.
we are all in this together.
Suicidal feelings and mental health
struggles can affect LGBTQ+ individuals more
than heterosexual individuals.
Table of Contents
Get the Facts
Suicide & LGBTQ Populations
Transgender & Nonbinary Youth
Research evidence indicates that transgender and nonbinary youth attempt suicide less when respect is given to their pronouns and they are allowed to officially change their legal documents, such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates.1
More than 60%
of transgender and nonbinary youth under the age of 18 said that none of the people they live with respected their pronouns.1
Mental Health
LGBTQ youth are impacted by suicide risk factors, as well as:
- COVID-19 pandemic
- mental health care disparities
- family rejection
- discrimination
- food insecurity
- conversion therapy
COVID-19 Pandemic
Many LGBTQ youth experienced more mental health challenges during COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to the pandemic’s impact on social determinants of health like food insecurity, homelessness and unemployment.1
70%
stated that their mental health was "poor" most of the time or always during COVID-19.1
More than 80%
said that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful.1
Race & Ethnicity
When LGBTQ youth experience discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or race/ethnicity reported much higher rates of attempting suicide, with those who experienced all three of these types of discrimination reporting the highest rate.1
Suicide Rates Compared
| White Youth | Native/Indigenous Youth | Black Youth | Latinx Youth | Asian/Pacific Islander Youth | Multiracial Youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12% | 31% | 21% | 18% | 12% | 21% |
Data from The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health.
Half
of all LGBTQ youth of color reported experiencing discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in the past year, including:
67%
of Black LGBTQ youth, and,
60%
of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth.1
How to Take Care of Yourself
How to Help Someone Else
If you’re struggling please feel free to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 . It is available 24/7 and is confidential.
- Know You Are Not Alone - LGBTQ+ people around the world have been through the same struggle.
- Build Your Support Network - Find allies in your life who will help keep you safe and who you can lean on if you feel depressed or suicidal.
- Talk to Someone - Silence isn’t strength. Don’t keep suicidal feelings to yourself. Lean on your support network, find a therapist or a support group, or get in touch with the Lifeline.
- Make a Safety Plan - Have a step-by-step plan ready for if/when you feel depressed, suicidal, or in crisis, so you can start at step one and continue through the steps until you feel safe.
Resources
General LGBTQ+ Resources
Transgender & Non-Binary Youth
Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth
LGBTQ+ Youth Serving Adults
The overall objective in helping families learn to support their LGBT children is not to change their values or deeply-held beliefs. Instead, practitioners should aim to meet parents, families, and caregivers “where they are,” to build an alliance to support their LGBT children, and to help them understand that family reactions that are experienced as rejection by their LGBT child contribute to serious health concerns and inhibit their child’s development and wellbeing.
Allies
Get Help Now
Local & State Resources
National Resources
Special thanks to The Trevor Project and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
