Anxiety and depression increased among LGBTQ+ youth over a two-year period, even as rates of self-harm and suicide attempts declined, according to findings published Oct. 20 by The Trevor Project.
The findings come from Project SPARK, an ongoing longitudinal study that surveyed 1,689 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 every six months from September 2023 through March 2026. The report compares findings from participants’ baseline surveys — their initial responses — with their two-year follow-up surveys.
Here are five things to know:
1. Anxiety and depression increased. Anxiety rose from 54% at baseline to 63% at the two-year follow-up, while depression increased from 43% to 51%. Suicidal ideation remained high: 38% at baseline and 40% at the two-year follow-up.
2. Self-harm and suicide attempts declined. Self-harm decreased from 39% at baseline to 34% at the two-year follow-up, while suicide attempts fell from 9% to 7%.
3. Family support was associated with lower suicide risk. LGBTQ+ youth reporting high family support had 45% lower odds of suicidal ideation and 42% lower odds of self-harm. Higher gender euphoria was associated with 50% lower odds of suicidal ideation and 49% lower odds of depression.
4. Discrimination and conversion therapy exposure increased. Among transgender and nonbinary youth, gender identity-based discrimination rose from 57% at baseline to 67% at the two-year follow-up. Among all participants, reports of ever being threatened with conversion therapy increased from 12% to 22%, while reports of being subjected to it rose from 9% to 16%.
5. Mental healthcare experiences improved. Among youth who received mental healthcare, the percentage who found it helpful increased from 64% at baseline to 91% at the two-year follow-up. The share of participants reporting LGBTQ+-affirming home environments also increased from 53% to 61% over the same period.
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