, members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) communities face ongoing stigma and discrimination. Increased internal and external stressors contribute to the social and health disparities present in this subpopulation. The experience of minority stress can have a number of negative consequences on health and functioning for LGBTQ members of all ages, including increased risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes and dangerous health behaviors. For example, the
is alarmingly high among young gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults and surveys show that almost half of transgender and non-binary youth in the U.S. have
LGBTQ mental health
Due to ongoing discrimination and a lack of acceptance from some corners of society, the
LQBTQ community is often at a higher risk for mental health problems than other demographics. For example, a survey from 2022 found that LGBT adults were around twice as likely to report always or often feeling anxious and depressed compared to non-LGBT adults.
LGBT adults are more likely to report symptoms of depression at all ages, but younger LGBT adults are especially at risk. In 2022, around half of LGBT adults aged 18 to 29 years reported symptoms of depression compared to 29 percent of non-LGBT adults in that age group. Treatment is recommended for anyone experiencing depression or other mental health problems, especially if thoughts of suicide are present, and around one third of mental health facilities in the United States offer treatment programs specifically for LGBTQ clients. Nevertheless, around 38 percent of LGB adults with some form of mental illness in 2022 reported
receiving no treatment in the past year.
LGBTQ youth
LGBTQ youth are at especially high risk of adverse health and social outcomes and are often faced with discrimination contributing to internal and external pressures concerning their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. For example, a survey from 2023 found that
transgender and nonbinary youth from gender-affirming homes and schools were less likely to attempt suicide than those who were from homes or attended schools that were not gender-affirming. In general, LGBQ+ high school students in the United States are twice as likely to
report experiencing poor mental health in the past month than their heterosexual classmates. Treatment for youth experiencing mental health problems is especially important, however, in 2023 a large share of
LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care were unable to receive it, with almost a quarter stating it was because they were not out about their LGBTQ identity and were afraid of being outed. As LGBTQ youth face a high burden of negative health outcomes, cultivating protective factors and fostering resilience is key among this age group; therefore, school and post-secondary institutions have a vital role to play in public health and social interventions.
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