Takeaways from the Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People
cw: mental health, suicide
At a time when the US federal government is actively censoring science around queer and trans people, trustworthy data from non-governmental services become critical to our community. This week, one trusted source, the Trevor Project, released its 2024 survey data on the mental health of queer youth.
The Trevor Project’s survey closely mirror’s a survey conducted nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS). In late February, the CDC announced that the YRBS will stop processing demographic data on transgender identities. This move does not affect the processing of sexual orientation data in the YRBS.
Even before this disastrous move, there was a dearth of quality data around trans public health. The CDC’s recent move will make this disparity even worse which is why it is worth considering the results from the Trevor Project. Below, I highlight some of the results that stood out to me, but you can explore the full results here. If I missed something important, please add it to the comments!
Note: The results below include data on self-harm and suicide. If you or a loved one is struggling with self-harm or suicidal ideation, please contact 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the hotlines through the Trevor Project or Trans Lifeline. Personally, I recommend the latter two, especially for queer folx.
many queer youth are victimized for for their identities
15% of LGBTQ+ youth reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to their sexual orientation.
28% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to their gender identity.
Rates of youth who have experienced physical threats or harm are elevated among some racial and ethnic minorities, particularly native youth and youth of Middle Eastern or North African descent.
65% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they have felt discriminated against in the past year due to their gender identity.
46% of LGBTQ+ youth reported that they have felt discriminated against in the past year due to their sexual orientation.
5% of queer youth were subject to conversion therapy, and 8% were threatened with conversion therapy. This experience is highly correlated with the likelihood of attempting suicide.
49% of queer youth ages 13-17 were bullied in-person, while 37% of the same group had experienced cyberbullying. These experiences increased the likelihood of attempting suicide by 3x.
90% of queer youth report negative impacts on their mental health from US politics
Queer youth struggle to access health care
Half of queer youth who wanted mental health care did not receive it. The most common reasons for this were lack of financial resources, fear of sharing mental health concerns, a lack of parental/caregiver permission, and fear of outing.
For trans and non-binary youth specifically, 13% are receiving affirming hormones and 2% are receiving puberty blockers. Of this group, 61% is concerned that they will lose access to these medications. Notably, this survey was conducted in 2024 - before President Trump issued an executive order purporting to ban affirming care for trans youth. That order is currently paused by a preliminary injunction as court’s adjudicate its legality. It is likely that we will have a de facto resolution by late June, when the Supreme Court issues its decision in US v. Skrmetti
39% of queer youth seriously considered suicide last year
12% of queer youth attempted suicide last year, and this rate is elevated among all non-White racial and ethnic identities. Further, 66% of queer youth reported symptoms of anxiety and 53% reported symptoms of depression. These alarming statistics are the end result of social, political, and medical victimization of queer youth. They are a stain on our society.
You can support queer youth!!
Queer youth report that the most affirming spaces in their lives are online communities, school, home, work, and in-person community events. Finding ways to contribute to these spaces is a huge way to support queer youth. Only 12% of trans and non-binary youth had access to most gender affirming clothing (e.g. binders, shapewear, etc.). This is a huge gap that could be facilitated at local levels.
Queer youth are also looking for adult queer role models. 65% had at least one older queer role model, mostly an older friend or a parasocial relationship with someone over social media. If you’re a queer adult, keep in mind that the little things you do in the presence of queer youth can have a big impact on their visions of themselves.
Finally, I want to end with some advice from queer youth collected by the Trevor Project
"You aren’t alone my friend. Remember, there’s a whole wide world with people like you and me”
“Be the role model you always needed”
“Treat yourself as a friend”
“We deserve happiness. We’re allowed to want a future of our own design, with the people we love. One day I’ll get that, and so will you.”
“You’ve come so far, and I am so, so proud of you.”
Doctors aren't trained in queer health. But you can help!
If you are a queer person, you probably have had at least one bad experience with the medical system. Maybe a doctor asked you invasive questions about your sexuality or sexual practices. Or, they misgendered you (even after you shared your pronouns). Perhaps they didn’t know what you were talking about when you asked a…
This is sad. I shudder to think what these numbers look like in 2025.