For LGBTQIA+ People of Color, feeling safe in their own skin is an ongoing struggle. Dr. Kia Darling-Hammond explains why…
In March 2021, The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth, published a report estimating that suicide attempts among U.S. LGBTQIA+ youth are one every 45 seconds. The report cited discrimination, lack of proper formal support, and threats to personal safety as factors contributing to the suicide ideation and mental health impacts experienced by LGBTQIA+ young people in the United States….

LGBTQ youth face a disproportionately high suicide rate. Although such statistics are alarming, more needs to be done to address this mental health crisis in the LGBTQ community.
Anxiety among LGBTQ Youth
A survey of LGBTQ youth suggests that they are 2.4 times as likely as their peers to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further, 16% of respondents said they felt unsafe at home. In comparison, 26% said they could not access mental health care during the lockdown period (which may exacerbate anxiety).
Stress Among …