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Supportive Spaces are Essential for LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health
At NRF we care about getting kids outside for many reasons. Outdoor recreation helps young people connect to peers, mentors, their culture, and their communities. It supports positive outcomes for physical and mental health. Well-run outdoor programming also boosts positive youth development and offers opportunities to build a range of life skills, including working with others, planning ahead, and effective communication. These experiences can be especially powerful for young people who aren’t always handed opportunities for connection, affirmation, and mentorship because of who they are, where they live, or how much money they can access.
This is certainly true for LGBTQ+ youth. Data shows us that LGBTQ+ youth experience disproportionately negative mental health outcomes and are in need of communities that affirm their identities. Each year, The Trevor Project conducts a national study to assess the mental health experiences of LGBTQ+ people ages 13 to 24 in the U.S. The results of the 2025 survey were published in May and show that LGBTQ+ youth continue to be at high risk for suicide as a result of mistreatment and stigmatization. Specifically, the 2025 survey results indicate that over one third of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide within the past year and about 10% attempted suicide. Those rates are even higher for transgender and non-binary youth and LGBTQ+ youth of color.
These negative outcomes are a result of the experiences of oppression and discrimination that LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. face every day. This includes systemic issues like anti-LGBTQ+ laws or school policies and interpersonal issues like bullying and harassment. Almost all survey respondents said recent escalations in anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policies have caused them stress or anxiety in the last year and have negatively affected their mental health. Almost half reported experiencing discrimination in the past year and about 60% of respondents between the ages of 13 and 17 experienced bullying within the last year. The most common type of bullying reported was verbal harassment for a perceived LGBTQ+ identity.
The survey data also highlights access to healthcare as a key issue. About 85% of survey respondents said they wanted mental healthcare but almost half of those respondents were unable to access it. This is an alarming statistic given that over 60% of respondents reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and almost half reported experiencing symptoms of depression. Physical and mental healthcare are deeply intertwined and holding a marginalized identity can often complicate access to physical healthcare. Almost half of survey respondents had not disclosed their LGBTQ+ identity to their primary health care provider, and trans and non-binary young people who were not able to access the gender-affirming care they were seeking were at higher risk for suicide. About a quarter of LGBTQ+ young people indicated that discriminatory laws and policies made them feel unsafe going to a doctor or hospital.
While these findings are heartbreaking, it’s not all bad news. LGBTQ+ youth who had access to spaces that supported their identities were at lower risk for attempting suicide. The survey results also emphasize the important role of affirming spaces outside the home. Eighty-five percent of LGBTQ+ youth who attended school reported having at least one adult at school who supported and affirmed their identity. As Pride Month winds down, we’re grateful for the work NRF grantees do to create caring and welcoming communities for young people across the U.S. to explore the outdoors. Time in nature is especially important for reducing stress and associated somatic symptoms. It is also essential that all kids find spaces to be celebrated for who they are and encouraged to grow. Our hope is that more young people have the opportunity to do just that through outdoor recreation and a connection to nature.