According to a recent report from The Trevor Project, over one in four LGBTQ youth have encountered housing instability or homelessness at some point in their lives. This includes almost half of Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and almost 40 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth. Homeless LGBTQ youth are between two and four times more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts, as well as report a suicide attempt in the previous year (35% for homeless and 28% for those who have experienced housing instability, compared to 10% for those who are not housing insecure).
Jonah DeChants, a research scientist for The Trevor Project, emphasized the need for better mental health services for those facing housing instability, given the gravity of the findings. It was unsurprising that LGBTQ youth of color and trans and nonbinary youth were disproportionately impacted by homelessness and mental health issues. DeChants stated that young people experiencing multiple forms of marginalization and oppression, such as homophobia, racism, or transphobia, were more likely to be pushed out of housing supports and face homelessness.
The pandemic has also amplified housing and mental health concerns, with more than 80% of LGBTQ youth reporting that their housing situations have worsened due to the pandemic, according to The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. Bill Torres, director of drop-in support services at the Ali Forney Center in New York, highlighted that COVID-19 has exacerbated issues for those already impacted by rejection from family, community, and society. Kate Barnhart, executive director of New Alternatives, a crisis center for homeless LGBTQ youth and people living with HIV in New York, added that the pandemic has driven some of their clients to suicide.
LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections and competent housing programs could help to bridge the gap in care, researchers note. Elisa Crespo, executive director of the New Pride Agenda, an LGBTQ advocacy group, suggested that increased access to employment and permanent housing can assist young adults who are experiencing homelessness. Crespo called for funding to be allocated towards the implementation and education of policies that already exist, ensuring that both housing providers and young people understand their rights and protections.
If you are in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
by nbcnews.com