LGBTQ+ adolescents face strikingly higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use compared to their peers.
This is according to a study – “Mental Health and Substance Use Disparities by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Among Delaware Youth” by Eric K. Layland, August X. Wei, Natalie M. Maurer, et al – that was published in the Delaware Journal of Public Health.
In this study, the researchers analyzed responses from more than 17,000 eighth and eleventh grade students collected through the 2022–2024 Delaware School Surveys. About one in four students identified as LGBTQ+ and these youth reported substantially higher rates of anxiety, depression and underage substance use.
By eighth grade, LGBTQ+ students were already using alcohol and other drugs at higher rates and up to 80% reported current anxiety symptoms – compared to about half of other students.
The study also highlighted opportunities for schools to serve as powerful sources of support.
For the researchers, solutions include: coming up with inclusive policies, staff training and affirming school climates can make a measurable difference in student well-being.
They, thereby, stressed that educators and policymakers should “expand protective policies – such as LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula and anti-bullying measures – to improve youth mental health outcomes across the state.”
