Supportive model for the improvement of mental health and prevention of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth

Aug 21, 2026

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth face pronounced mental health disparities and a substantially elevated risk of suicide versus non-LGBTQ+ peers. Bullying, discrimination, family rejection, prejudice, and peer violence create sustained stress that strengthens suicidal tendencies. A calibrated response is needed, combining prevention strategies, supportive policies, and community programming. The review highlights practical, actionable steps for schools, families, communities, and healthcare settings to strengthen protective factors and reduce victimization and stigma.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Mental health disparities and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth

Stressful experiences contributing to suicidal tendencies

Actionable supportive model

Prevention strategies across schools, families, communities, and healthcare

Reducing victimization and stigmatization

Strengthening protective factors

International Journal of Adolescence and Youth ISSN: (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: [https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rady20](https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rady20) Supportive model for the improvement of mental health and prevention of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth Samskruthi Madireddy & Sahithi Madireddy To cite this article: Samskruthi Madireddy & Sahithi Madireddy (2022) Supportive model for the improvement of mental health and prevention of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 27:1, 85-101, DOI: 10. 1080/02673843 .2022.2025872 To link to this article: [https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2022.2025872](https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2022.2025872) © 2022 The Author(s) . Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. | Published online: 23 Jan 2022. | | --- | | Submit your article to this journal | | Article views: 155 | | View related articles | | View Crossmark data | Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at [https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rady20](https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rady20) Supportive model for the improvement of mental health and prevention of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth Samskruthi Madireddya and Sahithi Madireddyb aJohns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md, USA; bMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA ABSTRACT Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth experience a myriad of mental health disparities as well as a heightened risk of suicide compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. They are also more likely to experience a multitude of stressful experiences such as bullying, discrimination, rejection from family, prejudice, and even violence from peers, all of which contribute to suicidal proclivities. Therefore, it is important to comprehend triggers of the disparities faced by LGBTQ+ youth in mental health, hazardous sexual behaviours, and substance use and determine ways of solving them via a calibrated approach combining prevention strategies, appropriate policies, and community programs. In particular, this review focuses on actionable steps that can be taken within schools, families, communities, and healthcare settings, to bolster protective factors supporting LGBTQ+ youth in coping with these challenges. It particularly envisions prevention strategies and interventions that focus on creating spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, increasing a sense of support and acceptance within schools, families, and healthcare settings, and reducing experiences of victimization and stigmatization on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 27 July 2020 Accepted 31 December 2021 KEYWORDS LGBT; mental health; suicide; adolescent; sexual minority Introduction The U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Estimates of the Resident Population 2017 population estimates the number of youth ages 13–18 to be 25,216,710 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018). Based on the data from the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance (YRBS) Survey conducted in 2017, the Trevor Project estimated that 10.5% of youth aged 13–18 identified as LGBTQ+ (Green et al., 2019). From the data collected by the National Survey of Family and Growth (NSFG) from 10,416 women and men aged 15–44 in the United States, the Trevor Project observed that 9.6% of young individuals aged 18–24 were part of the LGBTQ+ community (Copenet al., 2016; Green et al., 2019). In addition, a 2017 Gallup Daily tracking survey found that 11.3% of youth aged 18–24 considered themselves LGBTQ+ (Green et al., 2019). These studies demonstrate that LGBTQ+ youth comprise a sizable portion of the young population. According to extant studies, unlike their cisgender-heterosexual counterparts, LGBTQ+ youth have a higher likelihood of facing challenges related to mental health, including suicidality, anxiety, depression, substance/alcohol abuse, social

FAQs

Why are LGBTQ+ youth at higher risk for mental health problems and suicide?

They experience mental health disparities and elevated suicide risk alongside high levels of stressors such as bullying, discrimination, rejection from family, prejudice, and peer violence.

Which settings are emphasized for actionable interventions in the supportive model?

The review focuses on practical steps within schools, families, communities, and healthcare settings.

What does the review aim to improve for LGBTQ+ youth?

It targets stronger protective factors, including increased support and acceptance, and a reduction in victimization and stigmatization based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Aug 21, 2026

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