It's been shown that LGBTQ youth suffer from higher rates of anxiety and fear for wellbeing than heterosexual, cisgendered youth in the same areas and age brackets. This is due to fears of intolerance from family members, subsequent homelessness, and hate-fueled violence. Ninety-five percent of those interviewed for the Washington Post article reported having difficulty sleeping, and it's no wonder. If you are constantly fearing for your safety and struggling with anxiety, that will logically cause you to struggle to fall asleep, and lack of sleep has been shown to negatively impact mental health.
Concerning rates of depression and suicide have also been reported in LGBTQ youth, which once again connects to how acceptance affects mental health.
If anything I hope this post and linked articles demonstrates the importance of mental health resources for LGBTQ youth, and how the need for acceptance in their lives quite literally affects their health, both mental and physical. The time is now to help LGBTQ youth, especially in these times where they may be trapped inside homes and situations with people that are unhealthy for them.
Even if you are not directly affected by this, it demonstrates the need for mental health assistance in our communities, particularly in those at higher risk of depression and suicide.
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