Senate Democrats have introduced a bill to help improve mental health services for LGBTQ+ young people.
On Thursday, Sens. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the “Pride in Mental Health Act,” which they said “would strengthen mental health and crisis intervention resources for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.” The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Corey Booker (D-NJ), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) led 163 other House co-sponsors in supporting the bill.
If passed, the bill would provide grants for mental health services to eligible organizations to evaluate and enhance mental health and substance use results for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit youth. The bill mandates eligible organizations to utilize funding to offer cultural competency training for caregivers, create and distribute behavioral health and crisis intervention resources specifically for LGBTQ+ youth as well as guidelines to prevent anti-LGBTQ+ school bullying, and incorporate behavioral health services for LGBTQ+ youth in schools.
The bill would also stop funds from being used for anything related to so-called “conversion therapy” and request a report on mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people in foster care and other federal social services programs.
A press release Thursday announcing the bill’s introduction referenced a 2023 study from the Trevor Project, which found that 54 percent of LGBTQ+ youth reported symptoms of depression, compared to only 35 percent of heterosexual youth, as well as a 2021 study showing LGBTQ+ high school students are also four times more likely than heterosexual students to attempt suicide. Thursday’s release attributed those disparities to discrimination and lack of a supportive community in schools or at home.
Butler, the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ senator to serve in the U.S. Senate, noted that it has become increasingly difficult to access mental healthcare across the country. “Barriers get even more difficult if you are a young person who lacks a supportive community or is fearful of being outed, harassed, or threatened,” she said in Thursday’s statement, which also noted that fewer than 1 in 3 mental health facilities in the U.S. provide services for LGBTQ+ youth. “I am introducing the Pride in Mental Health Act to help equip LGBTQ+ youth with the resources to get the affirming and often life-saving care they need.”
“Mental health care is health care. And for some LGBTQ+ youth, receiving access to the mental health care they need can mean the difference between living in safety and dignity, and suffering alone through discrimination, bullying, and even violence,” said Smith. “The data shows what many parents and educators see every day — an epidemic of students in classrooms dealing with anxiety, depression and other serious mental health conditions, with nowhere to turn. Meeting LGBTQ+ students where they already are — in school — helps us break down the stigma they might face and get kids the health care they need.”
Mark Henson, Director of Federal Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project and one of 15 organizations that supported the bill, stated that passing the Pride in Mental Health Act would be a crucial move in addressing the significant mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S.
Henson mentioned that The Trevor Project's research revealed that 41 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, but over half of those who needed mental healthcare were unable to access it. He emphasized the need for more investment in education, prevention, and access to mental healthcare services to help the marginalized community, and emphasized that the legislation would accomplish that. He urged Congress to support this effort and assist LGBTQ+ young people nationwide in leading fulfilling, healthy lives.
The bill was introduced a day after the Oklahoma state medical examiner concluded that the death of 16-year-old transgender high school student Nex Benedict was a suicide. suicideBenedict had reported being bullied by three girls who assaulted him in a school restroom the day before his death.
Last week, Rainbow Youth Project reported a shocking 238 percent increase in crisis calls originating from Oklahoma in the weeks following Benedict’s death. Earlier this week, the Washington Post published a report, based on FBI data, indicating that anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in K–12 schools have more than quadrupled in states where Republican lawmakers have enacted legislation targeting the community. On Thursday, President Joe Biden called on parents and schools to take bullying seriously in the wake of Benedict’s death. He stated, “Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did.”
He added, “In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children.” If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org statementTrans Lifeline
(1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgment-free place to talk for youth via , text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.. The The bill was introduced a day after the Oklahoma state medical examiner ruled the death of 16-year-old transgender high school student Nex Benedict a suicide. (1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgment-free place to talk for youth via chat, text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.
