1 in 3 LGBTQ+ Youth ‘Seriously Considered’ Suicide in the Past Year

In a new study released by The Trevor Project today, 39% of surveyed LGBTQ+ youth said they have "seriously considered" suicide in the past twelve months. The study, which is the inaugural National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health also found that more than half of the transgender youth surveyed "seriously considered" suicide.

The study is reportedly the largest survey ever conducted on the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth, including nearly 35,000 youth from across the nation between the ages of 13 and 24. The study was conducted online between February and September 2018.

"We believe this research can save lives," Dr. Amy Green, the director of research at The Trevor Project said in a statement. "This data will help The Trevor Project to continue to improve and expand our life-saving services for LGBTQ+ youth. It will also provide our team on the ground in legislatures across the country data they need to support what we know to be dangers associated with conversion therapy and other forms of discrimination and victimization."

According to the report, 57% of youth who have undergone conversion therapy report a suicide attempt in the last twelve months. The statistics underscore the importance of the work The Trevor Project is doing alongside politicians in all 50 states to have the debunked practice state by state. 18 states have already outlawed conversion therapy in minors.

According to the survey, one in five LGBTQ+ youth attempted suicide in the past twelve months and nearly one in three trans youth attempted suicide. In April, Nigel Shelby made national headlines when he died by suicide at age 15. His mother recently has called for an investigation into his death. According to her, there is evidence that school teachers and administrators were aware her son had thoughts of suicide and did not alert her.

You can read the findings of The Trevor Project's National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2019 here.

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