Friend, caring teachers can play an important role in supporting the mental health of LGBTQ students. In fact, LGBTQ students who identified a greater number of supportive school staff reported higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of depression, and lower rates of having seriously considered suicide in the past year.
Our latest report examines the relationships between teachers and the mental health of LGBTQ students, demographic differences in access to positive relationships in schools, and the rate of LGBTQ young people who report learning about LGBTQ topics in school. The research shows that:
LGBTQ young people who felt their teachers cared about them were 34% less likely to attempt suicide in the past year.
LGBTQ students who learned about LGBTQ identities and issues impacting the LGBTQ community from teachers or school counselors were 23% less likely to experience recent symptoms of depression.
These findings highlight the need to support educators as allies to LGBTQ young people. While recent legislation has sought to limit teachers’ ability to discuss LGBTQ identities, it is imperative that teachers have the freedom to discuss these topics and express their support for LGBTQ young people in their schools.
