For many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, going to college or university is an opportunity to connect with other LGBTQ people. However, if campuses do not meet the unique needs of LGBTQ students, such as community support and affirming care, the college environment may also present challenges, says this report from The Trevor Project.
LGBTQ students whose college or university offers mental health services had 84 percent lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year than those who had no access, according to the study.
And while the vast majority of students, 86 percent, reported that their college offers such services, a significant number of students cited barriers to access. Those barriers included feeling uncomfortable going, long waitlists, and privacy concerns.