Supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people

21 June 2022

LGBTQ+ young people experience poor mental health at a disproportionate rate. Here, we share some resources where you can learn how to better support LGBTQ+ young people who might be struggling.

Supporting The Mental Health Of LGBTQ+ Young People Header

In April 2021, Just Like Us surveyed 11 to 18-year-olds and found that LGBT+ young people are twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety and panic attacks than those who are not LGBT+.

Research by the Mental Health Foundation found that members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to experience poor mental health, with 50% experiencing depression and 3 in 5 experiencing anxiety. But it's also important to note that being LGBTQ+ doesn't automatically mean someone will have mental health issues.

Whether you're a parent, carer, teacher, school staff member, friend or family member, there's much more we can do to support LGBTQ+ young people, such as:

tackling stigma
addressing discrimination
helping young people in their coming out journeys
supporting young people who are struggling with their identity.

We've pulled together a selection of useful articles and resources to help you do this.

Resources for families

Parenting Smart – positive gender identity development

Learn how to support your child to develop their sense of self if they're confused about their gender identity.

Parenting Smart – sexual development

Learn how you can support your child through the different stages of sexual development, including helping them to understand:

their sexual orientation
their gender identity
what their minds and bodies will go through as they develop.

Strong Family Alliance – Parent Guide to coming out

Learn how you can support your child through their coming out journey.

Resources for schools

Place2Be – Being Ourselves

Created for Children's Mental Health Week 2018, this resource includes activities to explore what makes each of us special and unique.

Mentally Healthy Schools – LGBTQI+ children and young people

Curated by Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Mentally Healthy Schools has advice, information and resources to help schools and colleges to support LGBTQI+ communities. Included is a helpful resource on celebrating differences for the early years.

Just Like Us – School Diversity Week

Discover how you can celebrate LGBT+ equality in primary and secondary schools and access School Diversity Week educational resources to help you along the way.

Stonewall – schools & colleges

Resources to help make your school, college or setting more LGBTQ+ inclusive.

Resources for young people

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone via email and Instant Messaging. Call 0300 330 0630, between 10am-10pm daily, to speak to one of their trained volunteers.

Stonewall – Young Futures

This hub is full of advice and tips for LGBTQ+ young people thinking about their futures and next steps.

The Proud Trust

Helpful information for young people covering a range of different things such as coming out, faith and religion, and staying safe.