The mental health crisis America’s youth continues to suffer from only worsens, and LGBTQ+ youth are facing the worst of this crisis (CDC, 2021; CDC, 2022; MHA, n.d.; NAMI, n.d.; The Trevor Project, 2022). With poorer mental health outcomes across the board, LGBTQ+ youth need access to mental health care and support immediately.
The State of LGBTQ+ Student Mental Health
It’s no secret that LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and attempts (CDC, 2021; CDC, 2022; MHA, n.d.; NAMI, n.d.; The Trevor Project, 2022). These rates have all increased over the past few years with the COVID-19 pandemic (The Trevor Project, 2022), especially for younger people (ages 13-17). Those considering and attempting suicide tend to fall in that age range, and are more likely to be a person of color (POC), transgender, or nonbinary (NAMI, n.d.; The Trevor Project, 2022). LGB youth are twice as likely as their straight peers to experience a mental health issue, and transgender youth are four times as likely to experience a mental health issue (NAMI, n.d.). Native and Indigenous LGBTQ+ youth experience the worst rates of anxiety, depression, suicidality, discrimination, and isolation compared to other LGBTQ+ peers (The Trevor Project, 2022).
Disparate outcomes don’t stop at symptoms. 60% of LGBTQ+ youth who wanted to access mental health care were unable to do so, largely due to stigma and affordability (MHA, n.d.; The Trevor Project, 2022). Over 80% of LGBTQ+ youth do want to access care - meaning the vast majority are shouting into a void for help that we aren’t providing them (The Trevor Project, 2022). Schools are uniquely positioned to be this resource for LGBTQ+ youth. Schools are often a place of refuge for youth, as well as their main source of support. Research shows that a supportive, inclusive, affirming school environment is a major protective factor for LGBTQ+ youth (CDC, 2021; CDC, 2022; GLSEN, 2019), yet only about half of this group feel that their school is accepting of them (The Trevor Project, 2022). “LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than non-LGBTQ+ youth to experience violence at school and have lower levels of school connectedness,” (CDC, 2021) meaning LGBTQ+ youth don’t feel supported or as if they belong at school (CDC, 2022).
An inclusive school environment can save lives - youth who feel their school is inclusive report fewer suicide attempts as well as lower rates of anxiety and depression (CDC, 2021; CDC, 2022; The Trevor Project, 2022). What can schools do to create this environment for their students?
Use inclusive language and curricula content.
Using inclusive language and content has been found to be a protective factor for LGBTQ+ youth (CDC, 2021). Simple things such as using gender-neutral terms like “partner” when referring to a romantic interest, whether personally or in curricula content, can make a world of difference for LGBTQ+ students’ mental health (CDC, 2021; GLSEN, 2019; The Trevor Project, 2022). Other ways to incorporate more inclusive language and content include using preferred pronouns, representing LGBTQ+ people or relationships in curricula, reading books by LGBTQ+ authors, or publicly advocating for LGBTQ+ rights (ex. kindly correcting someone who misuses pronouns in class) (CDC, 2021; CDC, 2022; GLSEN, 2019).
Provide mental health supports where LGBTQ+ youth feel seen and understood.
Providing mental health support for such a diverse group of young people can be challenging. It’s important to remember that the LGBTQ+ community encompasses many different intersections and identities, making it impossible to find a one-size-fits-all solution. Culturally competent and personalized support is most effective for this group, ensuring that a Native nonbinary student and a White bisexual student both receive appropriate care (NAMI, n.d.; The Trevor Project, 2022). Whether schools choose to train mental health staff on supporting LGBTQ+ students or enlist a personalized digital solution like Neolth, it’s imperative that schools provide the most inclusive support possible.
Create safe, inclusive spaces.
Similar to using inclusive language and content, creating a safe space might mean as little as adjusting your language and updating your curricula. It may also include establishing and supporting a Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club at the school, allowing students to support each other and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights (GLSEN, 2019; The Trevor Project, 2022). The most important step in creating these spaces is starting at the top. Administrators must create school policies and environments where LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, such as gender-neutral bathrooms, wearing pronoun buttons, and policies that eliminate discrimination (CDC, 2021; GLSEN, 2019). Teachers, too, can create these spaces within their classrooms by hanging Pride flags or Safe Space signs, letting students know that they are an ally, and using chosen names (CDC, 2021; GLSEN, 2019).
While it may be challenging to create a space that is inclusive of all students, it is critical that we do so quickly and effectively. Students' lives are on the line if we don't. Schools with more inclusive policies and practices, such as those mentioned above, tend to demonstrate more school connectedness, leaving students happier and healthier, regardless of their identity (CDC, 2021; CDC, 2022). It's time for all schools to join this movement to better their LGBTQ+ students' mental health and wellbeing.
About Neolth
At Neolth, we’re on a mission to help students stress less, build resilience and become part of our compassionate community. Our app helps students when they're feeling overwhelmed with self-guided content, personalized for their mental health journey. Neolth has a growing community of Student Ambassadors from 170 schools and works with schools to improve access to mental health support for their students. The company has won multiple awards for its app, including the 2020 Startup of the Year EdTech Award and the 2021 Tech for Good Timmy Award, San Francisco finalist. You can learn more at neolth.com
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Creating safe schools for LGBTQ+ youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Adolescent and School Health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/safe-supportive-environments/PD-LGBTQ.htm.
CDC. (2022). New CDC data illuminate youth mental health threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Newsroom. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0331-youth-mental-health-covid-19.html.
GLSEN. (2019). Mental health support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth. https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/GLSEN_LGBTQ_Mental_Health_Resource_2019.pdf.
Mental Health America (MHA). (n.d.). LGBTQ+ communities and mental health. Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/lgbtq-communities-and-mental-health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (n.d.). LGBTQI. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/LGBTQI.
The Trevor Project. (2022). 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/assets/static/trevor01_2022survey_final.pdf.
