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LGBTQ+ Health Advocates Sound Alarm Over CDC Data On American Youth

In 2021, 69% of LGBQ+ teens reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year, compared to 35% of heterosexual teens, according to a recent CDC report. This stat is likely understated because the report did not include information about those who identify as transgender, experts said.

It’s no secret that American teenagers — especially girls — are experiencing challenges with their mental health. The last several years have been tumultuous for younger populations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning or another non-heterosexual identity (referred to as LGBQ+, as the CDC did not include those who identify as transgender) are especially struggling, nearly twice as much as those who identify as heterosexual.

In 2021, 69% of LGBQ+ teens reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the previous 12 months, compared to 35% of heterosexual teens.

Because the transgender population is excluded in this report, that 69% is likely vastly understated, said Colin Quinn, president of Included Health Communities, which is dedicated to care navigation and advocacy services for the LGBTQ+ community and the Black community. Included Health provides virtual and in-person care.

“I think the missing point, and they call this out, is [the report] did not include the transgender youth population,” Quinn said in an interview. “We know their mental health needs are increased and access is more limited and their experiences within the school setting are even worse. So if the CDC did include the transgender youth population within this, you would see those percentages even more magnified, which of course is even more alarming and concerning.”

Aside from the sheer number of LGBQ+ kids feeling sad or alone, also concerning is the fact that so many of them are feeling it persistently. It’s normal to have these feelings from time to time, but persistent feelings show that there’s a need for action, said Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, medical director of behavioral health at Included. About 50% of LGBQ+ students had poor mental health during the previous 30 days and nearly 25% attempted suicide in the previous year.

“To feel anxious, to feel sad occasionally is a very expected response,” Benders-Hadi said. “But for it to be persistent sadness and the severity of depression that rises to the level of hopelessness where our youth feel like there’s no way out that they’re having thoughts about suicide, that level of hopelessness is really something that stood out to me.”

These same youth report higher rates of substance use and experiencing violence. About a quarter of LGBQ+ students were bullied at school and nearly 30% were electronically bullied, the report showed.

What’s leading to these stats? Part of it could be the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that is occurring in the U.S., such as Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill,’ Quinn said. There are currently 321 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being considered by state governments, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. 

“Most of these bills are focused on removing books, removing curriculum, removing things that support and encourage and talk about LGBTQ+ curriculum or topics,” Quinn stated. “Bathroom situations, removing trans youth from being able to participate in sports. There are a number of topics that are really focused through these bills and legislation that are having a disproportionate negative impact … Unfortunately, there are bullies in schools, but at the end of the day, adults should never be a bully to a child.”

Despite the CDC’s stark findings, there may be ways to alleviate the helplessness of this population and indeed of kids and adults struggling with loneliness, depression and anxiety. Virtual care is one such avenue for kids struggling with issues of identity to access support. 

“Being able to have that therapist or counselor just at a moment’s notice through virtual capabilities could be a really great and safer way for that teen to be able to engage with somebody,” Quinn said. “And they can do it from the safety and comfort of their own home or wherever a safe environment is for them.”

Despite schools not being a healthcare organization, they still have a responsibility to support kids’ health, the CDC stated in the report. The organization listed several steps schools can take through its What Works in Schools program, including implementing health education, connecting students to health services and making environments safer and more supportive.

One way schools can improve students’ wellbeing is by providing professional development resources to educators to help them create a more inclusive classroom, the CDC said.

“Making school environments safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students, by having gender and sexuality alliances (GSAs), identifying safe spaces and safe people, ensuring antiharassment policies are in place and enforced, and providing professional development for educators on the importance of inclusivity, not only improves health and well-being for LGBTQ+ youth but also for their peers,” the report stated.

Schools can also offer mental health services directly through the school, or create referral systems to connect students to care through community sources. It is also important to train students on how to access services, the CDC said.

Photo credit: sasirin pamai, Getty Images

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