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SALT LAKE CITY — Teens across the country, especially LGBTQ+ teens, are increasingly suffering from mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,In 2021, nearly half of LGBQ+ students would seriously consider suicide attempts, nearly one in four would attempt suicide, and nearly three in four reported persistent sadness or hopelessness.
“As adults, I think we need to do more to support LGBTQ+ youth,” says Jessica Holzbauer, a therapist at the Huntsman Institute for Mental Health.
Holzbauer said one way we can To support LGBTQ+ youth, use their preferred pronouns.
“We find a 65% reduction in suicide attempts when individuals are called by their preferred pronouns,” she said.
Jay Evans is a transgender teenager. He said that if he couldn’t recognize his own pronouns, he would get lost.
“I feel hopeless,” Evans said. “I feel like I can’t be this way for the rest of my life and will never be seen as who I am.”
According to the same CDC studyIn 2021, more than 1 in 10 LGBQ+ students will be out of school due to safety concerns. Nearly one in four has experienced sexual violence and nearly one in four has been bullied at school.
Evans said he too was bullied at school.
“People don’t understand that and they bully them because of that,” Evans said.
Evans said she was able to find a safe haven for her color guard and band team at high school.
“Whoever you are, you are welcome to the family,” he said.
He also said he feels safe in the university’s youth space. Utah Pride CenterHere, we provide resources like the Queer Closet where you can wear the clothes you feel most comfortable with.
“Wearing clothes that fit and seeing yourself for who you are…that’s the little hope we all need,” Evans said.
The center also offers daily youth activities, peer-to-peer support groups, and youth and parent support groups.
“It makes me feel like I’m not alone, that there are other people I can reach out to, and people like me that I can spend time with,” Evans said.
Learn more about the Utah Pride Center and its resources below. Please visit our website.
suicide prevention resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
crisis hotline
- Huntsman Institute of Mental Health Crisis Response Line: 801-587-3000
- SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
- 988 Suicide and Crisis 988 Lifeline
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ Teens: 1-866-488-7386
online resources
