LGBTQ youth who currently have a parent in the military face “significantly higher rates” of suicide risk and mental health challenges, according to new data released Wednesday by the Trevor Project.
Researchers with the nonprofit — the world’s largest suicide-prevention and crisis-intervention organization for LGBTQ and questioning youth — analyzed the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ kids and young adults with military parents to determine the link between being part of a military family and symptoms of depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide.
The data suggested that having a parent currently in the military was associated with 17% higher odds of recent anxiety symptoms; 14% higher odds of seriously considering suicide; and nearly 40% higher odds of attempting suicide in the past year.