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New #TrevorProject brief finds most have access to #mentalhealthservices on campus, yet many still face barriers to getting care

The Trevor Project

By Beth Hawkins

#LGBTQ #students whose college or university provides #mentalhealthservices had 84% lower odds of attempting #suicide in the past year than those who had no access, according to a new brief from The #TrevorProject. And while the vast majority, 86%, reported that their college offers such services, a significant number of #students cited barriers to access. 

The data is drawn from the organization’s fourth annual survey of #LGBTQ #youth #mentalhealth, which reported steady increases in the number of respondents who report unique risk factors such as harassment, violence and the need to come out over and over in uncertain circumstances; problems finding and getting care; and negative impacts from both the #pandemic and a wave of anti-transgender and “don’t say #gay” legislation. 

Overall, a third of #LGBTQ college #students seriously considered #suicide last year and 7% attempted it, according to the nonprofit, which advocates for safe environments for #queer #youth. Both rates were significantly higher among #LGBTQ #studentsofcolor and #transgender and #nonbinary #students. 

#LGBTQ #youth aren’t inherently prone to #suiciderisk because of their identity, but rather because of mistreatment, says Hannah Rosen, a research associate with the organization. “The #TrevorProject’s research has consistently shown that #LGBTQ #youth, unfortunately, deal with a significant amount of #LGBTQ-based victimization, including #bullying and discrimination based on their #sexualorientation or #genderidentity.”

Thirty-two percent of those who had access to #mentalhealthservices seriously considered #suicide, versus 46% of those who did not. Twenty-two percent of those with no access to college services attempted #suicide, compared with 6% of those who had care available. 

Yet, even though 86% reported their college provided #mentalhealthservices to #LGBTQ #students, many also said there were barriers to getting care. One third said they did not feel comfortable going, 29% reported long wait lists and 17% had privacy concerns. 

#Queer #students attending colleges with an #LGBTQ center or other cultural resource also reported having fewer thoughts of #suicide and making fewer attempts. More than six in 10, 63%, said their college offered these services. More than 40% of #students at campuses that lacked an #LGBTQ center said they had considered #suicide in the past year, while 9% had attempted it. By contrast, rates dropped to 30% and 6%, respectively, on campuses with specific support services.  

The number of #LGBTQ #youth overall who reported seriously considering #suicide rose from 40% in 2020 to 45% in 2022, according to Trevor researchers. The number reporting #depression rose from 55% to a peak of 62% in 2021, before dipping to 58% this year. Rates of #anxiety rose from 68% to 73% during the same period, while the rate at which #queer #youth attempted #suicide stayed relatively constant, at 15% versus 14%.  

Virtually all #transgender and #nonbinary respondents to the 2022 survey reported worrying they would be denied gender-affirming medical care or access to bathrooms and sports teams. 

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

In June, the college-ranking website BestColleges.com reported that one fourth of queer #students have considered dropping out because of challenges to their psychological well-being, and 92% said their #mentalhealth has negatively impacted their college experience. 

That study found #LGBTQ #students struggled to tap into new and supportive friend networks and to find #counselors who understood their identities or who were queer themselves.  

Meanwhile, the higher ed collaborative Proud and Thriving Project, which works to strengthen #mentalhealthservices of #LGBTQ #students, found much higher rates of #anxiety, #loneliness, #isolation among that population than their #cisgender and #heterosexual peers.

“No matter what amount of resources a college or university has, campus leaders can start by taking small steps to educate themselves on #LGBTQ people and topics — and make their campus environment more inclusive,” says Rosen. “Even simple actions such as including gender-affirming language in materials, or self-educating about different #LGBTQ identities and terminology, can make a huge difference in affirming #LGBTQ #college #students.” 

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