The Trevor Project released its New State-Level Data on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, Victimization, & Access to Support on Dec. 15.
According to the Trevor Project, “for the first time, this new report presents findings on the experiences of thousands of LGBTQ youth in the U.S., segmented by all 50 states.”
The Trevor Project, founded in 1998, is focused on LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and support, and is the leading LGBTQ suicide prevention organization. The Trevor Project’s data was based on their most recent national survey, “which captured the experiences of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 in the U.S., these data provide critical insights into the suicide risk, barriers to mental health care, anti-LGBTQ victimization, and negative impacts of recent politics reported by LGBTQ youth. These data also point to ways in which people can support the LGBTQ youth in their lives by highlighting access to accepting communities, LGBTQ-affirming spaces, and social support among family and friends — protective factors that are consistently associated with lower suicide risk.” according to the Trevor Project.
Illinois
- Considered Suicide: 41% of LGBTQ youth in Illinois seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 51% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- Attempted Suicide: 12% of LGBTQ youth in Illinois attempted suicide in the past year, including 16% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- Access to Care: 57% of LGBTQ youth in Illinois who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it, including 57% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- Discrimination: 71% of LGBTQ youth in Illinois reported that they have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Affirming Spaces – School: 40% of LGBTQ youth in Illinois identified their school as an LGBTQ-affirming space.
- Community Acceptance: 17% of LGBTQ youth in Illinois reported that their community was very accepting of LGBTQ people, and an additional 54% reported that their community was somewhat accepting.
Nationwide Average
- Considered Suicide: 45% of LGBTQ youth on average seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 54% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- Attempted Suicide: 14% of LGBTQ youth on average attempted suicide in the past year, including 19% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- Access to Care: 59% of LGBTQ youth on average who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it, including 57% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
- Discrimination: 74% of LGBTQ youth on average reported that they have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Affirming Spaces – School: 41% of LGBTQ youth on average identified their school as an LGBTQ-affirming space.
- Community Acceptance: 13% of LGBTQ youth on average reported that their community was very accepting of LGBTQ people, and an additional 45% reported that their community was somewhat accepting.
“For years, The Trevor Project’s research has worked to increase our understanding of the mental health challenges and suicide risk faced by LGBTQ young people across the United States. For the first time, these new data allow us to examine these young people’s experiences state by state,” said Carrie Davis, chief community officer at The Trevor Project.
“Especially as we anticipate another record wave of anti-LGBTQ bills in 2023, these findings underscore the disparities in access to mental health care and systems of support among LGBTQ youth, a group consistently found to be at significantly increased risk for suicide due to the anti-LGBTQ victimization they face, and how they are mistreated in society at large. We hope that fellow researchers, lawmakers, youth-serving professionals, and allies in every state will use these data to uplift LGBTQ young people and advocate for policies that celebrate and support them – not isolate them further.”
Many leading LGBTQ advocates anticipate yet another hostile legislative session ahead in 2023, as more than 60 anti-LGBTQ bills have already been pre-filed in state legislatures.
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/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.