NEW YORK – The Trevor Project’s research team released a new study on the mental health and suicide risk of Black transgender and nonbinary youth Tuesday. Based on a survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth across the nation, the findings show that one in four Black trans and nonbinary young people reported a suicide attempt in the past year — more than double the rate compared to their Black cisgender LGBQ peers.

Key Findings:

• One in four (25%) Black transgender and nonbinary young people reported a suicide attempt in the past year — more than double the rate of suicide attempts compared to Black cisgender LGBQ young people (12%).
• Black transgender and nonbinary young people reported higher rates of all indicators of poor mental health compared to their Black cisgender LGBQ peers.
• Black transgender and nonbinary young people experience higher rates of victimization, attempts from others to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, and housing instability compared to Black cisgender LGBQ young people.
• Black transgender and nonbinary young people with high social support from their family had 47% lower odds of reporting a suicide attempt in the past year.

ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021, in which the CDC disclosed alarming data that documented that rates of violence and worsening cases poor mental health, continued to rise among female and LGBQ+ adolescents.

The data found poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors are increasing for nearly all groups of youth and experiences of violence, including sexual violence, are not declining and in some cases are increasing.

Overall, young people are experiencing a level of trauma and distress that requires action.

There are also differences among groups of students.

• Female students and LGBQ+ students are experiencing alarming rates of violence, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• The rates of experiencing bullying, sexual violence, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors indicate a need for urgent intervention.
• Some differences between students across racial and ethnic groups have lessened, but there are still concerning disparities.

Note: Because the 2021 national YRBS did not have a question assessing gender identity, this report does not highlight data specifically on students who identify as transgender.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://t.co/aLLohASutY. @988Lifeline

— CDC (@CDCgov) February 13, 2023

Top Findings on Mental Health & Suicide Risk from the report:

• 45% of LGBQ+ students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, compared to 15% of straight students
• 22% of LGBQ+ students attempted suicide in the past year, compared to 6% of straight students
• 37% of LGBQ+ students made a suicide plan in the past year, compared to 12% of straight students
• Nearly 70% of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, compared to 35% of straight students
• 52% of LGBQ+ students experienced poor mental health during the past 30 days, compared to 22% of straight students

The YRBS report represents a nationally representative sample of more than 17,000 students in grades 9–12 attending public (including charter schools), Catholic, and other non-public schools in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Collected in fall 2021, these data also represent the first YRBS data collected since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Statement from Dr. Ronita Nath, Vice President of Research at The Trevor Project:

“These alarming data further emphasize why The Trevor Project exists and what we already knew to be true: queer students face disproportionate rates of victimization, and this directly contributes to their higher rates of poor mental health and suicide risk. Queer students are not inherently prone to these challenges because of their identities. 

“At a time when schools are increasingly being turned into political battlegrounds in the ‘Culture War,’ we must remember that real, young lives are at stake. Our schools must be safe places where all students can learn and find support, not a consistent source of bullying and discrimination. 

“Our governments and school officials must respond to this public health crisis with comprehensive suicide prevention strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of students who are LGBTQ and/or are people of color. What they should not be doing is censoring curriculums, banning inclusive books, and discouraging students from confiding in teachers and counselors about their identities.” 

According to the CDC report, data show that school environments, which are influenced by how teachers manage classrooms, programs to support positive youth development, and policies and practices that support LGBTQ+ students, can have a strong and lifelong effect on areas where youth are struggling now, including mental health.

Other findings included:

• Risky sexual behaviors are decreasing, but so are important protective behaviors like condom use, HIV testing, and STD testing.
• Substance use is generally decreasing, but still too high.

The CDC also noted that the data show that many of the same behaviors and experiences that were moving in the wrong direction before the pandemic, like poor mental health, continued to worsen, and highlight the challenges young people continue to face.

Read the full report here: (Link)

HOUSTON – In a scripted TikTok post, Caroline Cruz, the 14-year-old daughter of Texas Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz responded to the intense media coverage and interest in her medical emergency Tuesday evening at the family’s home in the toney River Oaks neighborhood of Houston.

“I wanted to address this on my own because the media is causing my mental health to be exploited for their gain. I also don’t enjoy the assumptions on why I did what I did. No, it had nothing to do with my sexuality or my father. I’m not suicidal but I am experiencing some mental issues. I’m working through it and getting the help I need. Thank you so much for all the support and love, it means a lot to me. But the most traumatizing part of this experience is how public it’s been,” Cruz told the viewers of her post.

@_caro_iguess_

before yall ask yes i am reading from a script, i had a lit ti say and i wanted to day it right so im sorry if it sounds superficial THANK YOU @finn ♰ @Kat for being the best friends ever

♬ son original – caroline?!

Related: (Walking a fine line: The self-harm incident & anti-LGBTQ Ted Cruz)