Health 2020 Youth National on Survey
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NATIONAL SURVEY ON LGBTQ YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH 2020 INTRODUCTION Experts are just beginning to understand Among some of the key findings of the report This year’s survey exemplifies our the mental health impacts of the multiple from LGBTQ youth in the survey: organization’s commitment to using crises in 2020 that have deeply impacted • 40% of LGBTQ respondents seriously research and data to prevent LGBTQ youth so many. But we know that suicide is still a suicide. public health crisis, consistently the second considered attempting suicide in the past twelve months, with more than half of leading cause of death among young people, We will continue to leverage new research and continues to disproportionately impact transgender and nonbinary youth having seriously considered suicide to help inform our life-saving services for LGBTQ youth. The need for robust research, LGBTQ youth, as well as expand the • 68% of LGBTQ youth systematic data collection, and comprehen- reported knowledge base for organizations around sive mental health support has never been symptoms of generalized anxiety dis- the globe. Our partner organizations also greater. order in the past two weeks, including conduct critical research, and we more than 3 in 4 transgender and nonbi- acknowledge that our life-saving programs The Trevor Project’s 2020 National Survey nary youth and research build on their important work. on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health is our • 48% of LGBTQ youth reported engaging second annual release of new insights in self-harm in the past twelve months, Given the lack of LGBTQ-inclusive data into the unique challenges that LGBTQ including over 60% of transgender and nationwide, we hope this report will provide youth face every day. nonbinary youth valuable insights that can be used by • 46% of LGBTQ youth report they researchers, policymakers, and the many Building on the findings of our inaugural wanted psychological or emotional coun- organizations working alongside The Trevor survey, it provides critical insights around seling from a mental health professional Project to support LGBTQ young people LGBTQ youth mental health disparities, but were unable to receive it in the past everywhere. discrimination, housing instability, 12 months barriers to affirming health care, subjection The Trevor Project’s research, advocacy, • 10% of LGBTQ youth reported under- education, and direct service programs will to conversion therapy, and suicide. The going conversion therapy, with 78% survey also highlights how safe spaces and continue to elevate the voices and reporting it occurred when they were experiences of LGBTQ youth. Our hope social support positively impact the well- under age 18 being of LGBTQ youth. is that by publicly sharing our resources • 29% of LGBTQ youth have experienced and our support for them, LGBTQ youth Representing the experiences of over homelessness, been kicked out, or run will hear us loud and clear: that they are 40,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 across away beautiful the way they are, that their lives are valuable, and that they are never alone. the United States, it is the largest survey of • 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported that If you are an LGBTQ young person, please LGBTQ youth mental health ever conduct- they had been physically threatened ed. This wealth of data highlights the resil- know that The Trevor Project is here to or harmed in their lifetime due to their support you 24/7. iency and diversity of LGBTQ young people LGBTQ identity and demonstrates how important affirming • 61% of transgender and nonbinary one’s identity is to their health and wellness. youth Findings from this cross-sectional survey reported being prevented or also point to best practices for how to discouraged from using a bathroom that support LGBTQ young people and corresponds with their gender identity contribute positively to their mental health. • 86% of LGBTQ youth said that recent politics have negatively impacted their well-being • Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected Amit Paley CEO & Executive Director The Trevor Project p.1 SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH 40% of LGBTQ respondents seriously considered attempting suicide in the past twelve months. More than half of transgender and nonbinary youth have seriously considered suicide. LGBTQ youth who Youth who attempted suicide among considered and attempted suicide: those who considered: By Gender Identity: Cisgender 34% 11% Transgender and nonbinary 41% Transgender and Cisgender 33% nonbinary 52% 21% Gender Identity By Age: 13–17 48% 21% 18–24 13–17 year 44% olds 29% 34% 18–24 year olds 10% Age p.2 SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH 68% of LGBTQ youth reported symptoms • 55% of LGBTQ youth reported symptoms of major depressive disorder in the past two weeks, including of generalized anxiety disorder in the more than 2 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth past two weeks, including more than 3 in • 86% of LGBTQ youth said that recent politics have negatively 4 transgender and nonbinary youth. impacted their well-being • Nearly 15% of LGBTQ respondents attempted suicide in the past twelve months, including more than 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth • 48% of LGBTQ youth reported engaging in self-harm in the past twelve months, including over 60% of transgender and nonbinary youth 46% of LGBTQ youth respondents report that they wanted psychological or emotional counseling from a mental health professional but were unable to receive it in the past 12 months. In the past 12 months, have you wanted counseling from a Over 40% of LGBTQ youth mental health professional? reported they were unable to receive care due to concerns with parental permission. No 16% Ability to afford care was the strongest barrier to receiving mental health care. Yes, but I didn’t get it 46% Yes, and I got it 38% p.3 SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH Nearly half of transgender and nonbinary youth didn’t receive wanted mental health care due to concerns related to the LGBTQ competence of providers. LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care but were unable to get it cited the following reasons for cisgender and transgender and nonbinary respondents: Inability to afford care 50% 58% Concerns about getting parent/caregiver permissions 44% 46% Concerns about finding an LGBTQ competent provider 23% 46% Transportation difficulties 21% 31% Fears of being outed 20% 26% Previous negative experience 20% 26% Lack of providers who were LGBTQ 7% 17% p.4 CONVERSION THERAPY & CHANGE ATTEMPTS 6 out of 10 LGBTQ youth said that someone attempted to convince them to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ youth who reported someone Youth who attempted suicide, comparison attempted to convince them to change their of those who experienced attempts to sexual orientation or gender identity: change their sexual orientation or gender identity to those who had not: 19% Attempt to convince to change No attempt to convince to change 42% No attempt to 8% Attempt to convince to change convince to change 58% Youth who attempted suicide Who attempted to convince you to change your sexual orientation or gender identity? Parent or caregiver 35% Friend 28% Other relative 22% Religious leader 14% Teacher or school counselor 6% Healthcare provider 5% p.5 CONVERSION THERAPY & CHANGE ATTEMPTS 10% of LGBTQ youth reported receiving conversion therapy from someone who tried to change their sexual orientation or gender identity to straight or cisgender. LGBTQ youth who reported Youth who attempted suicide, Types of formal conversion undergoing conversion comparison of those who efforts reported by LGBTQ therapy: experienced conversion youth who underwent therapy with those who conversion therapy: had not: Not sure 28% Conversion 4% therapy Conversion Gender therapy identity 10% 8% No conversion No 12% Both sexual therapy conversion orientation and 90% therapy gender identity 27% Sexual Youth who orientation attempted suicide 61% LGBTQ youth underwent conversion therapy 3% of youth reported undergoing led by the following individuals: conversion therapy by a health- care professional. Personal pastor or priest Outside 6% religious leader 5% Healthcare 78% of youth who underwent professional conversion therapy reported that 3% it was when they were under the age of 18. All respondents p.6 DISCRIMINATION & PHYSICAL HARM 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth report that they have been physically threatened or harmed in their lifetime due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. 40% of transgender and LGBTQ youth who Youth who attempted suicide, nonbinary youth reported being experienced physical harm comparison of those who physically threatened or harmed due to either their sexual experienced physical harm in their lifetime due to their orientation or gender identity: with those who had not: gender identity, and 30% of LGBTQ youth reported being physically 31% Physical threatened or harmed in their harm lifetime due to their sexual orientation. Physical harm 33% No physical 11% No physical harm harm 67% Youth who attempted suicide LGBTQ youth who Youth who attempted suicide, 61% of transgender and experienced discrimination comparison of those who nonbinary youth reported being due to either their sexual experienced discrimination prevented or discouraged from orientation or gender identity: with those who had not: using a bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, with school being the 22% Discrimination most frequent