Crisis in Youth Mental Health: A Focus on Suicidality Among LGBTQIA+ Adolescents in the United States

This paper investigates the escalating crisis in youth mental health within the United States, with a particular focus on the significantly heightened rates of suicidality among LGBTQIA+ adolescents. It explores the contributing factors, including discrimination, identity-related stress, lack of social support, and inadequate mental health services. The paper also discusses the urgent need for intervention strategies to address this public health crisis.

Keywords: Youth Mental Health, LGBTQIA+, Suicidality, Mental Health Crisis, United States, Intervention Strategies

Introduction

Mental health disorders are among the most critical and growing public health concerns in the United States, particularly among the youth. An increasing body of evidence shows the escalation of mental health issues among American adolescents, leading to devastating outcomes such as suicide. For LGBTQIA+ youth, the risk is disproportionately higher, mirroring a crisis that necessitates immediate attention.

Prevalence of Youth Mental Health Crisis

The youth mental health crisis in the U.S. has been increasingly recognized, with an alarming rise in mood disorders and suicide rates among adolescents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. children has a diagnosable mental health disorder (NIMH, 2019). Suicide is now the second…