Lgbt youth and depression
LGBTIQ+ people: statistics
LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, pansexual, trans, intersex, queer or questioning. We’ve used the term LGBTIQ+ on this page, but we realise this doesn’t cover all the ways people describe their gender or sexuality. Stonewall has a glossary that lists many more terms.
Mental health problems such as depression, self-harm, alcohol and drug abuse and suicidal thoughts can change anyone, but they’re more common among people who are LGBTIQ+.
Being LGBTIQ+ doesn’t cause these problems. But some things LGBTIQ+ people go through can disturb their mental health, such as discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, social isolation, rejection, and difficult experiences of coming out.
It’s important to note that embracing entity LGBTIQ+ can have a positive impact on someone’s well-being too. It might mean they have more confidence, a sense of belonging to a group, feelings of relief and self-acceptance, and better relationships with friends and family.
What issues might LGBTIQ+ people face?
Mental health issues
Being LGBTIQ+ doesn’t automatically mean someo
Report: Higher Rates of Depression, Anxiety for LGBTQ Teens Forcibly Outed
As more states compel schools to uncover students’ sexual orientations and gender identities to parents, research ties outing to poor mental health.
By Beth Hawkins
This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox.
As more states call for schools to out trans students to their families, a new study links involuntary disclosure of sexual orientation or gender culture to heightened rates of depression and anxiety.
One-third of LGBTQ youth outed to their families were more likely to report major symptoms of depression than those who weren’t, according to the University of Connecticut research. Transgender and nonbinary youth who were outed to their parents reported both the extreme levels of depression symptoms and lowest amount of family support.
The first study to link teens’ nonconsensual disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity to poor mental health, the report also f
Depression in LGBTQ Teens
As kind adults, arming ourselves with insights on challenges LGBTQ teens uniquely contend with allows us to provide the validation, empathy, and mental health treatment this high-risk group needs. Depression remains highly treatable with empathetic care.
Examining Factors Impacting Mental Health
Reflecting on key factors impacting depression vulnerability sheds flash on the heavier burdens LGBTQ juvenile people often shoulder:
Lack of Family Acceptance: Parental rejection over gender identity or sexual orientation often precedes children disappearing home or becoming homeless, cutting them off from a crucial support system.
Bullying and Harassment: Up to 85% of LGBTQ students state being verbally harassed at school. Physical violence, social exclusion, and cyberbullying also frequently target them.
Identity Struggles: Questioning one’s sexuality/gender without supportive guidance often breeds shame, confusion, and poor self-image during the teen identity-shaping phase.
Minority Stress: The ongoing experience
Depression in the LGBTQIA+ Population
Support can begin in childhood and adolescence. It’s important that LGBTQIA+ youth have support, both in college and at home. All LGBTQIA+ people should feel comfortable and safe in environments that are socially, emotionally, and physically supportive.
School
Resources to support LGBTQIA+ teens are still lacking in a lot of schools, but school climate and attitudes have improved over the years, according to GLSEN.
The GLSEN report also states that LGBT youth who own access to support do surpass in school. Schools can perform a number of things to make the environment safer and more supportive of LGBTQIA+ youth, including:
- implementing clear policies against discrimination and harassment
- fostering support groups, such as gay-straight alliances, and other student clubs
- implementing LGBTQIA+ topics as part of the curriculum
- having a supportive staff
Home
Parents and guardians should be willing to talk openly with teens about any problems they’re having at home or school and be watchful for signs of bullying or hostility. They