New #TrevorProject brief finds most have access to #mentalhealthservices on campus, yet many still face barriers to getting care
By Beth Hawkins
#LGBTQ #students whose college or university provides #mentalhealthservices had 84% lower odds of attempting #suicide in the past year than those who had no access, according to a new brief from The #TrevorProject. And while the vast majority, 86%, reported that their college offers such services, a significant number of #students cited barriers to access.
The data is drawn from the organization’s fourth annual survey of #LGBTQ #youth #mentalhealth, which reported steady increases in the number of respondents who report unique risk factors such as harassment, violence and the need to come out over and over in uncertain circumstances; problems finding and getting care; and negative impacts from both the #pandemic and a wave of anti-transgender and “don’t say #gay” legislation.
Overall, a third of #LGBTQ college #students seriously considered #suicide last year and 7% attempted it, according to the nonprofit, which advocates for safe environments for #queer #youth. Both rates were significantly higher among #LGBTQ #studentsofcolor and #transgender and #nonbinary #students.
#LGBTQ #youth aren’t inherently prone to #suiciderisk because of their identity, but rather because of mistreatment, says Hannah Rosen, a research associate with the organization. “The #TrevorProject’s research has consistently shown that #LGBTQ #youth, unfortunately, deal with a significant amount of #LGBTQ-based victimization, including #bullying and discrimination based on their #sexualorientation or #genderidentity.”
Thirty-two percent of those who had access to #mentalhealthservices seriously considered #suicide, versus 46% of those who did not. Twenty-two percent of those with no access to college services attempted #suicide, compared with 6% of those who had care available.
Yet, even though 86% reported their college provided #mentalhealthservices to #LGBTQ #students, many also said there were barriers to getting care. One third said they did not feel comfortable going, 29% reported long wait lists and 17% had privacy concerns.
#Queer #students attending colleges with an #LGBTQ center or other cultural resource also reported having fewer thoughts of #suicide and making fewer attempts. More than six in 10, 63%, said their college offered these services. More than 40% of #students at campuses that lacked an #LGBTQ center said they had considered #suicide in the past year, while 9% had attempted it. By contrast, rates dropped to 30% and 6%, respectively, on campuses with specific support services.
The number of #LGBTQ #youth overall who reported seriously considering #suicide rose from 40% in 2020 to 45% in 2022, according to Trevor researchers. The number reporting #depression rose from 55% to a peak of 62% in 2021, before dipping to 58% this year. Rates of #anxiety rose from 68% to 73% during the same period, while the rate at which #queer #youth attempted #suicide stayed relatively constant, at 15% versus 14%.
Virtually all #transgender and #nonbinary respondents to the 2022 survey reported worrying they would be denied gender-affirming medical care or access to bathrooms and sports teams.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
In June, the college-ranking website BestColleges.com reported that one fourth of queer #students have considered dropping out because of challenges to their psychological well-being, and 92% said their #mentalhealth has negatively impacted their college experience.
That study found #LGBTQ #students struggled to tap into new and supportive friend networks and to find #counselors who understood their identities or who were queer themselves.
Meanwhile, the higher ed collaborative Proud and Thriving Project, which works to strengthen #mentalhealthservices of #LGBTQ #students, found much higher rates of #anxiety, #loneliness, #isolation among that population than their #cisgender and #heterosexual peers.
“No matter what amount of resources a college or university has, campus leaders can start by taking small steps to educate themselves on #LGBTQ people and topics — and make their campus environment more inclusive,” says Rosen. “Even simple actions such as including gender-affirming language in materials, or self-educating about different #LGBTQ identities and terminology, can make a huge difference in affirming #LGBTQ #college #students.”
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
