New study reveals surprisingly encouraging shift among trans youth over the past two years - LGBTQ Nation
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“This two-year study makes it undeniably clear that we cannot let them weather this storm alone."

A new two-year study of LGBTQ+ youth from the Trevor Project holds some good news for young people across the U.S., as well as confirmation of the harmful impacts of gender identity-based discrimination, economic insecurity, and the scourge of conversion therapy on mental health.

The LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group published the findings of its ongoing study, “Project SPARK Two-Year Findings: A Longitudinal Study of Protective and Risk Factors in LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health,” on Tuesday.

Responses collected from 1,689 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 every six months from September 2023 through March 2026 revealed that supportive environments make a statistically positive difference in LGBTQ+ young people’s lives.

While LGBTQ+ youth continue to face persistent mental health challenges — including high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation driven by ongoing discrimination, economic insecurity, and barriers to care — rates of self-harm and suicide attempts decreased over the time period.

Family support was linked to 45% lower odds of suicidal ideation and 42% lower odds of self-harm. Gender euphoria was linked to 50% lower odds of suicidal ideation and 49% lower odds of depression. And proactive factors like changing ID documents and accessing hormones for trans and nonbinary youth led to 45% lower odds of suicidal ideation and 38% lower odds of depression, respectively.

“This research affirms what we have long known to be true: creating welcoming and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ youth is a life-saving intervention,” said Dr. Ronita Nath, Vice President of Research at the Trevor Project.

“As these young people navigate a challenging sociopolitical landscape with escalating anti-LGBTQ+ stigma and systemic barriers, the data from Project SPARK show that intentional support – things like family acceptance, gender euphoria, and access to care – can play a powerful role in protecting LGBTQ+ young people from suicide risk over time.”

“Showing up for LGBTQ+ youth in this moment means addressing the risk factors that lead to harm, while building safe, supportive spaces that allow these young people to fully be themselves.”