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70% of LGBTQ youth said their mental health was ‘poor’ during COVID-19, survey finds

Morning Call - 6/15/2021

The great majority of LGBTQ youth reported their mental health suffered and stress at home increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to survey results published this year.

The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found more than 80% of LBGTQ youth across the country said the pandemic made their living situation more stressful, while 70% said their mental health was “poor” most of the time or always during COVID-19.

The California nonprofit’s survey included responses from about 35,000 LGBTQ youth, ages 13 to 24.

“This data underscores many of the serious challenges experienced by LGBTQ youth over the last year and should serve as an urgent call to action,” according to The Trevor Project’s report. “But it also speaks to the diversity and resiliency of LGBTQ youth and provides valuable insights into their everyday sources of strength and positivity.”

Researchers have been studying the effects of the pandemic on both adults and children who identify as LGBTQ, finding that not only did they experience the health crisis differently, but they were also harder hit, feeling the negative economic, social and mental health effects of the pandemic disproportionately compared to those who do not identify as LGBTQ.

Another study, published in March by nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation and focused on adults, found 56% of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender adults reported they or someone in their household experienced job loss, compared to 44% of non-LGBT adults.

In addition, 74% of LGBT adults said worry and stress from the pandemic negatively impacted their mental health, while only 49% of non-LGBT responded similarly.

The Trevor Project’s report showed about 40% of LGBTQ youth who had a job reported they lost it during the pandemic.

It also found COVID-19 impacted nearly half of LGBTQ youths’ ability to express their sexual orientation, and about 60% of transgender and nonbinary youth said it impacted their ability to express their gender identity.

“We hope these findings will be used by fellow researchers, policymakers, and other youth-serving organizations to better support LGBTQ youth across the country and around the globe,” according to the report.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.

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