The Trevor Project released a new research report today that encompasses the experiences of over 18,000 LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-24 across the nation and offers state-level data about mental health and suicide risk, access to care, the impacts of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and avenues to supporting Queer young adults.
While Washington is considered a safe state, data from "The 2024 US National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People by State" show that LGBTQ+ youth need more familial support and access to mental healthcare providers.
"Many of these state findings are grim, and they signal serious gaps in resources and outsized mental health challenges for already marginalized youth that we simply must address," Dr. Ronita Nath, vice president of research, said in a press release. "However, these data also give us a clear call to action: we must all do our part to make LGBTQ+ young people feel more welcome and accepted in the places they call home."
The Washington section extracted data from 625 LGBTQ+ young people, 37% of whom reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. Ten percent reported suicide attempts in the past year.
Reported rates of anxiety and depression are higher among Transgender and Nonbinary youth: 66% of Washington respondents reported experiencing anxiety, but 71% of Trans or Nonbinary people did. Furthermore, 52% reported experiencing symptoms of depression, though 59% of Trans or Nonbinary respondents did.
"Similar to previous research, these data reinforce that LGBTQ+ youth are not disproportionately impacted by suicide because of who they are, but rather because of how they are mistreated, stigmatized, and discriminated against," said CEO Jaymes Black.
Even with vital tweaks to the healthcare system in recent years, like expanding Medicaid coverage, mental healthcare access for LGBTQ+ Washington youth is failing. Of the respondents, 49% reported wanting care but not receiving it, with 43% reporting that they could not afford care. Others reported being concerned to talk about mental health challenges, not wanting to receive parental or caregiver permission, or being scared of having the police called and being involuntarily hospitalized.
Out of those who received care, over half do so in person through both one-on one therapy and virtual therapy. Hotline and crisis services were utilized by 12% of respondents for mental healthcare.
The respondents reported recent politics negatively impacting their well-being, and rates of bullying in the past year were highest among 13-to-17-year-olds (56%). The majority of respondents, 70%, reported low or moderate support from family, and 68% reported high support from friends.
Nationwide findings
As expected based on the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the South had some of the highest rates of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and some of the lowest levels of community acceptance, compared to other regions. Additionally, it had some of the highest rates of wanting but being unable to access mental healthcare.
The Midwest had some of the highest rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and its youth reported some of the highest rates of physical harm and threats. The Northeast reported some of the highest levels of community acceptance, and lower rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, compared to other regions.
"This is an incredibly difficult time for many LGBTQ+ young people—and these findings give us critical insight into the unique challenges they face in every state. We hope lawmakers, advocates, youth-serving professionals, and allies in every corner of the country use this research to better understand and support the young people in their communities," Black added.
Supporting young Queer Washingtonians
When affirming spaces and communities are accessible, Queer youth report lower rates of suicide attempts, but further action is required. Respondents in the Trevor Project's report stated five things loved and trusted peopel can do to show support and acceptance:
The full report can be found at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024-by-state.
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