LBGTQ+ mental health disparities Children's Wisconsin
At Every Turn > Mental and Behavioral Health > Proud, happy and loved: Addressing mental health challenges for LGBTQ+ youth
Tips Jun 22, 2022

Proud, happy and loved: Addressing mental health challenges for LGBTQ+ youth

It’s June and that means Pride Month, which is one way to recognize and celebrate children who identify with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities. As a psychologist in the Children’s Wisconsin Gender Health Clinic, I work with many diverse youth and their families, and I know how important it is to acknowledge a child or teen’s gender identity and sexual orientation as part of who they are. Unfortunately, some LGBTQ+ youth are faced with situations within their communities, cultures, or even homes where they don’t feel recognized or included, and this can understandably have a big impact on their mental health.

In fact, the mental health disparities for our LGBTQ+ kids are alarming. According to the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health disorders in general and have almost twice the rate of death by suicide compared to other youth.

I found this statistic particularly disturbing — in 2019, for Wisconsin cisgender youth (someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth), 18 percent said they had attempted or considered suicide. I would obviously like that number to be lower for all youth, but sadly, it’s even higher for youth in Wisconsin who identify as transgender or nonbinary. In contrast, 62 percent of transgender or nonbinary youth in Wisconsin reported attempting or considering suicide.  That is heartbreaking.

But here is what gives me hope: When gender diverse children are supported and grow up with families, friends and schools who care about them, those health disparities drop dramatically. When youth have access to appropriate medical care and psychological support, we don’t see the dramatic difference in suicide and depression. Gender diverse children who feel supported by their families, school, health care providers and communities experience rates of depression and suicidality similar to the general pediatric population. 

So, what can support look like for parents and caregivers? It might be a lot easier than you think. Support doesn’t mean always knowing the right thing to say or do. It starts by simply being open to conversations about gender and sexual orientation and listening when your child tries to express who they are. It’s not uncommon for youth who identify as LGBTQ+ to have thought about their identity for some time even if it’s new information to you as a caregiver, so it’s okay if you need to take time to process or reflect. The best thing you can do in the moment is let your child know you love them and want to continue to talk about these topics, even if the conversations are sometimes hard. Asking your child, “What can I do to help you feel supported in this moment?” can be really helpful.

For LGBTQ+ children and families, support groups and individual or family therapy can be a tremendous help to facilitate conversations and foster understanding. For transgender or nonbinary youth, there may also be health care interventions to consider. At the Children’s Wisconsin Gender Health Clinic, we’re committed to providing care, education and support to patients and their families, while being sensitive to unique experiences and circumstances.

As June begins to wind down and the rainbow flags and advertising all go away, it’s a good reminder that when it comes to an LGBTQ+ child and their mental health, the best thing a parent, or anyone can do, is listen.

Kids in Wisconsin are experiencing a mental and behavioral health crisis, and many families are unsure how to address it with their children. That's why Children's Wisconsin is committed to helping parents and caregivers get the answers they need. To learn how you can play an active role in your child's mental and behavioral health, visit our Shine Through website.

The Children's Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center can help you carry the weight of your child’s mental and behavioral health struggles. There is nothing too big or too small.
View more articles from Children's Wisconsin

Related stories

How kids can safely use artificial intelligence Children's Wisconsin
Tips Aug 20, 2025

Rise of the Machines: What Parents Should Know About AI and Kids

Kate Bennett, DSW, LCSW Behavioral Health Consultant

What parents can do to help their kids use AI in safe and healthy ways.

How to identify and treat head lice in children Children's Wisconsin
Tips Aug 15, 2025

How To Identify and Treat Head Lice in Children

Sarah Mooney, MD Pediatrician

Lice are annoying, but they are harmless and do not spread disease.

Top 5 things parents should know about hand, foot and mouth disease Children's Wisconsin
Tips Aug 11, 2025

What Parents Should Know About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Cheryl Cameron, MD Pediatrician

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild but highly contagious viral infection that is common in young children.

Measles outbreak United States 2025 Children's Wisconsin
Tips Aug 08, 2025

Measles Outbreak Shows Importance of Getting Your Kids Vaccinated

Frank Zhu, MD Medical Director

The recent measles outbreak is a regrettable reminder to all of us of just how preventable this disease truly is when your child is vaccinated.

How to get kids to talk about the feelings Children's Wisconsin mental and behavioral health
Tips Aug 07, 2025

How To Help Your Young Child Talk About Their Feelings

Janelle Clark, LPC Behavioral Health Consultant

Children who find healthy ways to express their feelings are more likely to develop positive relationships with others, feel more confident and perform better in school.

Common newborn skin ailments Children's Wisconsin
Tips Jul 18, 2025

Baby Blemishes: Seven Common Skin Conditions in Newborns

Stephen Humphrey, MD Pediatric Dermatologist

Seven common skin conditions that affect newborns, how to treat them and when to see a doctor.

Building the Confidence Muscle: How To Help Kids Learn To Stand Up for Themselves Children's Wisconsin
Tips Jul 17, 2025

Building the Confidence Muscle: How To Help Kids Learn To Stand Up for Themselves

Jamie Radant, LPC-IT Behavioral Health Consultant

Teaching kids how to stand up for themselves is a valuable skill that will serve them well throughout life.