Six-Year Trends in LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health in the United States

Authors

  • Keith Robert Head LMSW, Master's in Social Work (MSW), West Texas A & M University, USA | Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bottega University, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0512-8166

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.5.3.37

Keywords:

LGBTQ, LGBTQ youth, suicide, gender identity

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of trends in LGBTQ+ youth mental health from 2019 through 2024, drawing on data from The Trevor Project’s annual national surveys. We examine five consistently measured indicators across six years of survey data including: suicidal ideation and attempts, discrimination due to SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity), physical threats and harm exposure, and conversion therapy exposure and threats. Suicidal thoughts among LGBTQ+ youth rose to a significant peak before easing, while actual attempts showed a steady decline, especially among adolescents, yet younger teens remained disproportionately vulnerable throughout. Over the same period, discrimination remained persistently widespread, while reports of physical violence swung sharply but ended higher than at the outset, and exposure to conversion therapy spiked briefly during the pandemic era before settling back to its earlier yet still troubling level, highlighting the significant risks young LGBTQ+ youth and young adults face. The findings highlight continuing disparities, alongside small improvements in some areas. In conclusion, we summarize key insights and recommend actions to bolster mental health support, reduce stigma and victimization, and expand affirming resources for LGBTQ+ youth.

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Author Biography

Keith Robert Head, LMSW, Master's in Social Work (MSW), West Texas A & M University, USA | Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bottega University, USA

I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Social Work (MSW), and I am completing my Doctorate in Social Work. My research is focused on culturally competent mental health care, with a particular emphasis on integrating cultural frameworks into clinical systems such as the DSM. I am currently leading a project that explores how diagnostic criteria can better account for cultural variation in symptom expression and interpretation, particularly among Hispanic populations.

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Published

2025-05-31

How to Cite

Head, K. R. (2025). Six-Year Trends in LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health in the United States. Integrated Journal for Research in Arts and Humanities, 5(3), 304–314. https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.5.3.37

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): May Issue

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Keith Robert Head

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.