US LGBTQ Youth Study Finds Less Self-Harm but More Anxiety Symptoms

The Trevor Project, a US organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ young people, published two-year findings from Project SPARK on October 20, 2026. In the group being followed, the share reporting self-harm and suicide attempts fell, while the share with symptoms of anxiety and depression rose.

According to the study description, 1,689 US residents aged 13–24 at enrolment joined the project. Five survey waves took place at roughly six-month intervals between September 2023 and March 2026. Transgender, nonbinary or gender-questioning participants made up 53% of the sample. The study was not limited to transgender young people.

In the mental health results, reported past-year self-harm declined from 39% to 34%, and suicide attempts from 9% to 7%. Anxiety symptoms were recorded in 54% at baseline and 63% two years later, and depressive symptoms in 43% and 51%. Suicidal ideation changed from 38% to 40%; that difference was not statistically significant. Symptoms were assessed through questionnaires rather than clinical diagnoses.

In the statistical models, family support was associated with a lower likelihood of self-harm and suicidal ideation, while discrimination and houselessness were associated with poorer outcomes. Analyses accounted for age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity. These associations alone do not establish causation.

Among transgender, nonbinary and gender-questioning participants, the share wanting hormones rose from 59% to 71%. Among those who wanted this treatment, access rose from 34% to 62% — a separate measure. At the final follow-up, 73% of adults and 33% of minors who wanted hormones had access. The authors stress that participants aged during the study.

Participants were recruited through social media advertisements: the sample is not random or representative of all LGBTQ young people in the US. Some respondents dropped out, potentially affecting the observed changes. Because suicide attempts were uncommon, the corresponding models could not be reliably estimated; descriptive percentages are reported for this measure. The study does not establish that a particular treatment or political decision caused the changes.

Ronita Nath, The Trevor Project’s vice president of research, identified family acceptance and access to care as important sources of support. The organization is continuing follow-up and plans further analysis of long-term changes.

Uránia previously reported on New York City’s plans to allocate about $9 million to nonprofit organizations for health care for transgender adolescents.