Suicide Prevention Resources for LGBTQ+ Young People

This post contains a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know might be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 or chat via the website at 988lifeline.org.

Suicide disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ youth. Based on the research, LGBTQ+ young people are over four times as likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual, cisgender peers. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People by State reports, 39% of LGBTQ+ individuals aged 13-24 reported seriously considering suicide in the past year, while 12% attempted suicide in the past year. LGBTQ+-identifying young people are often subjected to discrimination and minority stress - thought to be some of the leading risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior in LGBTQ+ youth - which includes bullying, lack of affirming spaces and social supports, health disparities, and the practice of conversion “therapy”, which is no longer an evidence-based practice but is still often used as a threat to LGBTQ+ youth and is legal in many states (Facts About Suicide Among LGBTQ+ Young People, The Trevor Project). In fact, a 2020 American Journal of Public Health publication reported that young people who underwent conversion therapy were over twice as likely to have attempted suicide in the preceding year.

Knowing the data is important to understanding the context of the challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face. Further, it is important to understand what factors can be protective against suicide for this population. Research has identified a number of protective factors for LGTBQ+ youth including acceptance and support from peers and adults, affirming spaces and events, an affirming environment at school, and policies implemented to protect and support LGBTQ+ youth, such as gender-affirming care and allowing transgender and nonbinary youth to officially change their name and gender marker on legal documents.

The Comprehensive Injury Center’s Division of Suicide Research and Healing is committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, promoting LGBTQ+ mental health resources, and furthering the research on this understudied population. In an effort to support already existing work, we recently established a partnership with Ballroom Therapy, a community outreach program established by Chad E Carroll and co-lead by Ricardo Wynn that supports and uplifts the queer community in Milwaukee and creates a safe space for individuals to discuss mental health, explore their identity, express creativity, channel emotions in movement, and foster community. Ballroom/Rhythmic Therapy has been utilized in the past to increase knowledge in the LGBTQ+ community and BIPOC surrounding safe sex practices and HIV prevention.

Individuals can take action and show allyship to promote wellbeing in the LGBTQ+ community and reduce the likelihood of suicide attempts and suicide deaths. The Trevor Project’s Allyship in Action lists some of these concrete actions including:

• Familiarizing yourself with LGBTQ+ terms and identities.
• Respecting others' pronouns and showing your support by stating or listing your pronouns when applicable.
• Being a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and using empathetic listening during discussions.
• Advocating for LGBTQ+ young people.
• Educating yourself to avoid placing the burden of education on LGBTQ+ people.

As of July 17, 2025, 988’s LGBTQ+ youth line option is no longer available due to federal funding cuts. While this is a difficult loss of a life-saving resource, there are other crisis lines in existence which provide support for LGBTQ+ adults and youth. Those lines include:

• The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386, text “START” to 678-678, or chat with a counselor at thetrevorproject.org; available 24/7
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 available to call from 12-8pm CT
• LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564 available to call Monday – Friday from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. CT and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT
• LGBT National Senior Hotline: 1-877-360-5428 available to call Monday – Friday from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. CT and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT
• LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743 available to call Monday – Friday from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. CT and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT

For further resources on suicide prevention, including more information about 988, the following resources are available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for people calling and their loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
• The Trevor Project – A suicide prevention organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services, research, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth.
• LGBT National Help Center – A non-profit crisis prevention organization that provides free peer support, community connections, and resource information through helplines and online chatrooms.
• Prevent Suicide Wisconsin – A statewide public-private partnership whose mission is to reduce the number of people who attempt and/or die by suicide in Wisconsin. Mental Health America of Wisconsin coordinates this work.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – A national organization that gives those affected by suicide, including suicide-loss survivors, a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action in suicide prevention.
• Reporting on suicide prevention – Resource from the AFSP for journalists on how to safely and accurately report on suicide.
• MKE L.O.S.S. – MKE L.O.S.S. is a postvention program within the CIC that provides comfort, resources, and support to suicide loss survivors in Milwaukee County.
• Froedtert & MCW Inclusion Health Clinic – Health care clinic at Froedtert & MCW designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.