Research shows that teens who identify as LGBTQ+ are at increased risk of suicide and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Research shows that LGBTQ+ teens consider suicide and make suicide attempts at about four times the national rate for all adolescents. And, a new survey reveals 36 percent of LGBTQ+ young people had suicidal thoughts in the past year while 10 percent attempted suicide.
These numbers shed light on the critical importance of mental health services and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. Parents, teachers, mentors, and policymakers must help ensure that LGBTQ+ teens receive ongoing support and access to mental healthcare resources.
What You’ll Learn
- Why are LGBTQ+ teens suicide risks higher than their heterosexual, cisgender peers?
- What challenges to LGBTQ+ adolescents face in school and in society?
- How can parents help their LGBTQ+ teen?
- How can Newport Academy support LBGTQ+ teens?
Quick Read
Research indicates that LGBTQ+ teens face significantly higher risks of suicide and mental health issues compared to their heterosexual peers. They are four times more likely to consider or attempt suicide, with factors such as stigma, family rejection, and bullying contributing to their struggles. A recent survey revealed that 36 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, while 10 percent attempted it. Support from family and acceptance in their communities can greatly improve their mental health outcomes.
The challenges LGBTQ+ teens encounter extend beyond personal struggles; they often face bullying, violence, and discrimination, which exacerbate feelings of isolation. Many express a desire for mental health care, yet a significant portion cannot access it. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in providing support and fostering open communication. By respecting their identities and creating a safe environment, families can help reduce the risk of suicide and promote well-being among LGBTQ+ youth.
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Statistics on Mental Health and Suicide Among LBGTQ Youth
LGBTQ+ teen suicide rates and LGBTQ+ mental health statistics reflect the societal and relationship challenges that these young people face. Newport is proud to partner with the Trevor Project, the nation’s foremost LGBTQ+ advocacy and research organization. Their 2025 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, which captured the experiences of more than 16,000 LBGTQ+ young people ages 13–24, reveals alarming statistics on suicidal thoughts and attempts: 36 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 10 percent attempted suicide.
Other key findings from the survey include:
- Over half of LGBTQ+ young people experienced bullying
- 21 percent have been physically threatened or harmed due to their sexual orientation or gender identity
- 23 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people say they had been physically threatened or harmed due to their gender identity.
- 62 percent of LGBTQ young people experienced symptoms of anxiety.
- 47 percent of LGBTQ+ young people experienced symptoms of depression.
- 84 percent of those surveyed wanted mental heatlhcare
- 44 percent of young people who wanted mental healthcare were unable to get it
- Young people living in rural areas were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depression, as well as consider or attempt suicide, compared to those living in other parts of the country.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), LGBTQ+ teens are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than the general population. Research shows that low family satisfaction, cyberbullying victimization, and unmet medical needs contributed to their higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior.
LGBTQ+ Suicide Rates vs. International Averages
A review study published in JAMA Pediatrics looked at how many LGBTQ+ people die by suicide each year and what percentage of transgender people die by suicide. Compiling data from 35 previous studies, the analysis involved close to 2.4 million heterosexual youth and 113,468 LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12 to 20, from 10 countries. The results included the following LGBTQ+ teen suicide rates:
- LGBTQ+ youth were 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers.
- Rates of attempting suicide among trans teens were 5.87 times higher than the average among all teens.
- Gay and lesbian youth were 3.71 times more likely to attempt suicide.
- Bisexual youth were 3.69 times more likely to attempt suicide than teens who identified as heterosexual.
Why Are LGBTQ+ Teens Vulnerable to Suicide?
All teenagers are at risk for suicide. But LBGTQ youth suicide rates are higher because their risks are compounded. As The Trevor Project states, “LGBTQ+ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.” Most profoundly, they experience rejection or lack of support from their family members much more often than their heterosexual peers. Survey results showed LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in accepting communities attempted suicide at less than a third of the rate of those who lived in unaccepting communities.
Moreover, stigma and threats of violence from peers and society at large further impact their mental health and well-being. The Trevor Project survey found that LGBTQ+ youth who experienced anti-LGBTQ+ victimization, including being physically threats or harm, discrimination, or conversion therapy, reported more than twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year.
Hence, the feelings of isolation or “otherness” that often accompany adolescence are magnified for LGBTQ+ teens. These challenges can be particularly overwhelming for younger adolescents. One study of LGBTQ+ teen suicide rates found that one out of four suicides (24 percent) in adolescents age 12 to 14 were among LGBTQ+ youth. Researchers found that family problems most often contributed to suicides among younger teens.
What LGBTQ+ Youth Face in Schools and Society
In addition to difficulty at home, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to use substances, face bullying or violence, experience poor mental health, and engage in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The following data on LGBTQ+ teenagers comes from the CDC’s latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey:
- 10 percent were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property
- 19 percent missed school due to safety concerns
- Nearly 3 in 10 LGBTQ+ students were bullied on school property
- 53 percent experience poor mental health and 65 percent felt sad and hopeless
- 32 percent made a suicide plan
- 25 percent experienced cyberbullying
- 20 percent had experienced sexual dating violence
- 18 percent students had experienced physical dating violence
How Laws and Policies Impact LGBTQ+ Mental Health
According to the Trevor Project survey, 90 percent of young people surveyed are stressed or anxious about recent LGBTQ+-related laws and policies and 79 percent said they made them feel unsafe. Moreover, one-third of LGBTQ+ young people, including 38 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people, say their family has considered moving to a different state
Schools and government policies can make a difference for LGBTQ+ youth. Youth living in states with anti-bullying laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity report less homophobic victimization and harassment. In addition, schools with Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs provide a more supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth.
LGBTQ+ Youth and Substance Use
Statistics on substance use in LGBTQ+ youth show that they use alcohol and drugs at higher rates than their straight, cisgender peers. This is not surprising, given that substance use is typically a behavioral symptom of underlying depression, trauma, and anxiety. A Trevor Project research brief found that 47 percent of LGBTQ+ youth under age 21 use alcohol. Moreover, 29 percent of LGBTQ+ youth use marijuana. And 11 percent report using a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them.
Most significant, higher rates of substance use in this population were directly associated with LGBTQ+ teen suicide rates. Regular prescription drug misuse was associated with nearly three times greater odds of attempting suicide. Regular alcohol use was associated with nearly 50 percent higher likelihood of attempting suicide. And LGBTQ+ youth under age 21 who regularly used marijuana were nearly twice as likely (1.67 times) to attempt suicide.
What Parents Can Do to Counteract LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Rates
Research has consistently shown that support from parents and peers leads to better mental health, greater self-acceptance, and enhanced well-being among LGBTQ+ youth. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth who feel high social support from their family attempt suicide at less than half the rate of those who feel low or moderate social support. Additionally, Trevor Project research found that transgender and nonbinary youth who feel their gender identity is accepted by at least one adult are less likely to make a suicide attempt compared to those who do not feel accepted. Here’s how to offer that all-important support.
Communicate often
Frequent, open conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity allow teens to share their feelings. At this age, their emotions may shift from day to day, and talking with a caring parent can have a stabilizing effect. Parents should listen closely to what their adolescents share. In addition, parents should educate their teens about how to avoid unsafe situations. Read “How to Talk to Teens.”
Respect their process
The teenage years are a time of immense physical and emotional change and identity formation. Consequently, it can sometimes be easy for parents to write off changes in a teen’s sexual orientation or gender identity as “experiments” or “going through a stage.” It’s vitally important to respect your teen’s experience and feelings and to do your best to use their preferred name as well as gender-affirming pronouns. Trevor Project research shows that transgender and nonbinary youth whose pronouns are respected by the people they live with were 50 percent less likely to attempt suicide as those whose pronouns were not respected.
Work as a team
Parents and LGBTQ+ teenagers can work together to navigate any challenges that arise. They can also develop a set of shared goals for their teen, such as staying healthy, doing well in school, and creating a strong support system within and outside the family. This will help teens trust that they are cared for.
Stay tuned into what’s going on in their life
Parents of LGBTQ+ teens need to stay involved, so they learn what their child’s experience at school is like. Moreover, they need to watch for signs of bullying (including cyberbullying) or other discrimination at school. In addition, parents can get to know their teen’s friends and romantic partners. This will help them offer guidance as their adolescent learns to build strong relationships outside the family.
Find resources to support suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ youth
Organizations like the The Trevor Project offer resources and support, in person and online, for LGBTQ+ teenagers and their families. In addition, families can reach out to their doctor, a mental health professional, or a teen treatment center for advice and referrals. Parents need to be on the lookout for any signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health concerns. With early assessment and treatment, successful outcomes are likely. Therefore, LGBTQ+ teen suicide rates will hopefully start to trend downward.
Finally, parents of LGBTQ+ teens need to remind their children often that they are unconditionally loved, and they will always be there to support them. As with all teenagers, feeling accepted and loved will make a positive impact on their lives, now and into the future.
Culturally Competent and Gender-Responsive Treatment at Newport Academy
We understand the specific challenges that LGBTQ+ youth navigate as they come of age. Our treatment takes into account the unique needs of LGBTQ+ adolescents and provides them with tools for navigating the world, building self-worth, and forming strong relationships with peers, mentors, and their larger community.
Our clinical experts and care staff have expertise and experience in addressing the mental health challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face. Newport Academy’s Admissions experts and Clinical Outreach Specialists can help parents of LGBTQ+ teens get the support they need. Contact us today.
Sources
The Trevor Project 2025 U.S. National Survey
CDC Supplements. 2020 Aug; 69(1): 47–55.
J Adolesc Health. 2019 Jan.
JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(12):1145–1152.
Pediatrics. 2018 May;141(5).
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2018;12:8.
Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2016 Mar 28; 12: 465–487.
Journal of GLBT Family Studies. 14(1–2):130–151.
