Over the last six years, the Trevor Project has gathered and shared key data from thousands of LGBTQ+ young people across the United States. And, the 2024 data is here.

The 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, conducted by The Trevor Project, gathered insights from over 18,000 LGBTQ+ young individuals aged 13 to 24 across the United States. The survey aimed to understand their mental health experiences, the impact of external factors, and the accessibility of mental health care.

For the sixth consecutive year, the U.S. National Survey reveals a significant link between anti-LGBTQ+ victimization and disproportionately high rates of suicide risk. The survey also highlights that a distressing number of young people continue to face challenges in accessing the mental health care they need.

Read on for key findings from the 2024 survey, and additional resources for supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults in North Carolina and beyond.

Demographics of Participants:

• Age: 49% were between 13-17 years old, and 51% were 18-24 years old.
• Gender Identity: 53% identified as transgender or nonbinary, 41% as cisgender, and 6% were questioning.
• Sexual Orientation: 28% identified as bisexual, 16% as lesbian, 13% as gay, 16% as pansexual, 12% as queer, and 10% as asexual.
• Race/Ethnicity: The respondents were 61% White, 12% Hispanic/Latinx, 8% Black/African American, 6% Asian American/Pacific Islander, 1% Native/Indigenous, less than 1% Middle Eastern/Northern African, and 12% identified as more than one race.
• Socioeconomic Status: 27% reported just meeting basic needs or less, while 73% indicated they had more than enough to meet their basic needs.

Key Findings

Mental Health and Suicide Risk

Suicide Consideration and Attempts:

• Overall: 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 46% of transgender and nonbinary youth and 30% of cisgender youth. About 12% of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year, with higher rates among transgender and nonbinary youth (14%) compared to cisgender youth (7%).
• Age Breakdown: Among ages 13-17, 33% considered suicide and 16% attempted it. For ages 18-24, 46% considered suicide and 8% attempted it.
• Sexual Orientation: Suicide consideration rates were higher among bisexual (47%) and pansexual (43%) youth. Attempt rates were notably high among questioning youth (18%) and bisexual youth (16%) .
• Race/Ethnicity: Suicide attempt rates varied, with Native/Indigenous youth at 24%, Black/African American youth at 16%, and Hispanic/Latinx youth at 13%. White youth had a lower rate at 10%.

Anxiety and Depression:

• Overall: 66% of LGBTQ+ young people reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, and 53% reported symptoms of depression. Transgender and nonbinary youth reported higher rates of both anxiety (71%) and depression (59%) compared to cisgender peers (58% for anxiety and 44% for depression) .
• Age Breakdown: Among ages 13-17, 49% reported anxiety and 57% depression. For ages 18-24, 65% reported anxiety and 67% depression .
• Sexual Orientation: Anxiety was most common among pansexual youth (71%) and asexual youth (70%). Depression was notably high among queer youth (71%) and asexual youth (66%).

Access to Care

Mental Health Care Accessibility:

• Desire and Accessibility: 84% of LGBTQ+ young people wanted mental health care, but 50% were unable to get it. Common barriers included affordability, needing parental permission, and fear of not being taken seriously.
• Sources of Care: Among those who accessed mental health care, 69% used in-person therapy, while 53% utilized virtual therapy.
• Gender-Affirming Care: Only 13% of transgender and nonbinary youth were on gender-affirming hormones, and 2% were taking puberty blockers. Of those on hormones, 61% were concerned about losing access to this care.

Impact of Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies

Political and Social Influences:

• Negative Impact: 90% of LGBTQ+ young people reported that their well-being was negatively impacted by recent politics, with 53% saying it impacted them a lot.
• Relocation Considerations: 45% of transgender and nonbinary youth, and 39% of all LGBTQ+ youth, have considered moving to another state due to anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Supportive Environments

Affirming Spaces:

• School Environment: More than half (54%) of transgender and nonbinary young people found their school to be gender-affirming, leading to lower rates of attempted suicide. Those who faced bullying reported higher rates of suicide attempts.
• Community Acceptance: LGBTQ+ youth who lived in very accepting communities had lower rates of suicide attempts compared to those in unaccepting communities.
• Home Environment: Transgender and nonbinary youth who had their pronouns respected and access to gender-neutral bathrooms at school reported lower rates of attempting suicide.

Resources for Mental Health Services for LGBTQIA+ Youth

The Trevor Project:

• Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people under 25. They offer 24/7 support via phone, text, and chat.
• Website: The Trevor Project

QChat:

• A digital LGBTQ+ center where youth can join live-chat support groups.
• Website: QChat

TimeOutYouth:

• Located in Charlotte, NC, offers support, advocacy, and opportunities for personal development and social interaction to LGBTQ+ youth ages 11-20.
• Website: TimeOutYouth

Additional Local Resources for LGBTQIA+ Clients in North Carolina:

• LGBTQ Center of Raleigh: Provides support groups, resources, and community events.
• LGBT Center of Durham: Offers programs and support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
• Transcend Charlotte: A transgender-led organization offering education, advocacy, and support services.
• Duke Child and Adolescent Gender Care Clinic: Provides gender-affirming medical care.
• Be BOLD Psychology and Consulting Trans and Gender Diverse Client Resource Page

LGBTQIA+ Celebratory Services for Youth and Young Adults in North Carolina

At Be BOLD Psychology and Consulting, we specialize in providing LGBTQIA+ celebratory mental health services. We understand the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth and their families and offer trauma-informed, affirming care. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation with us to explore how we can support you and your loved ones.

Schedule your free consult today: Be BOLD Psychology and Consulting Appointment Request

Together, we can create a supportive and affirming space where every young person feels valued and accepted.

Want to help support the Trevor Project and LGBTQIA+ young people? Check out how you can make a tax-deductible donation here!

Citation for this research

Nath, R., Matthews, D.D., DeChants, J.P., Hobaica, S., Clark, C.M., Taylor, A.B., Muñoz, G. (2024). 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. West Hollywood, California: The Trevor Project. www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024

*As noted all graphs were taken directly from the 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, and credit should be fully given to them