Mental health of LGBT adults is worsening, shows a UCLA study

A recent study conducted by UCLA found that transgender and bisexual adults are more likely to report serious thoughts of suicide and mental health issues, compared to their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. The study found that these individuals are three times more likely to seriously think about suicide (48% vs. 17%) than their straight counterparts, as well. The highest level of mental health issues were among transgender people, followed by cisgender lesbians and bisexual females, then cisgender men who identify as gay or bisexual. Along with this, thoughts of suicide are highest among younger LGBTQIA+ adults (ages 18-24 and 25-34). Despite these statistics, it seems that many of these people do not receive the care they need, with 81% of LGBT adults who need mental health care not seeing a mental health practitioner or primary care physician for their issues. 


One important thing to note is that this study was conducted in the state of California, known for its large LGBT population and liberal laws regarding the LGBTQIA+ community, so if the LGBTQIA+ community feels unsafe in California in all places, then that should be the biggest indication that the government, and specifically this administration, is extremely prejudiced and unwelcoming towards the LGBTQIA+ community. A core tenet of democracy, according to John Locke, is that the government must protect the natural rights of all people, and only then will it be allowed to have power. This concept is known as the consent of the governed, and is one of the main principles that this country is founded on. The fact that a significant portion (9.3%, Gallup) of the population is in such bad condition is a clear indicator that something is extremely and deeply wrong with our government, as the repeated and sustained attacks on women and transgender people (who, as stated, have the highest rates of suicidal thoughts and mental health issues) have caused a deep mistrust between the people and the government. If LGBT people in California feel unsafe, imagine what people in Georgia, or Florida, or Mississippi feel. This issue is part of a larger trend that shows the government is shifting away from the needs of the people, which is never a good thing.


Signing off,


Lily




Citations:


Fricano, Mike. “Mental Health Care Needs Differ within LGBT Community, UCLA Study Finds.” UCLA, UCLA, 30 Sept. 2025, newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/LGBT-mental-health-care-needs-differ-CHIS.


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