Minorities within Minorities: Mental Health Outcomes within Sexual Minority Youth

ABSTRACT The mental health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) compared to heterosexual youth are well established. However, evidence indicates there may be diversity in risk for mental health outcomes within sexual minority youth. This study examined mental health outcomes in 1,933 young people (aged 16 − 25 years) who used the online mental health platform ReachOut. We explored mental health outcomes (mental health service use and hospitalization, depression, anxiety, and stress), and risk for suicide among heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, queer+, and questioning young people. Compared to their heterosexual peers, bisexual, queer+, and questioning young people had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and risk for suicide. Bisexual and queer+ young people also had significantly higher levels of stress compared to heterosexual youth. Bisexual and young people questioning their sexuality were significantly more likely to have a previous mental health hospitalization. Gay/lesbian youth did not significantly differ from heterosexuals on depression, anxiety, stress, or previous hospitalization, but did for risk of suicide. These findings underscore the importance of measuring, reporting, and addressing the distinct mental health experiences of sexual minority youth.