Teens and Young Adults

Growing up is never easy, but adolescence coupled with being LGBTQ can increase risk factors in response to stresses from discrimination, bullying and abuse. Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and questioning youth are at increased risk for depression and suicide attempts Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , and some research suggests increased risk for transgender youth, too. Though little research has been done on transgender youth, rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance use may be higher Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  among non-heterosexual youth. LGBT youth report experiencing elevated levels of violence Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , victimization, and harassment compared with heterosexual and non-gender-variant youth. A disproportionate number of LGBTQ youth are or are at risk of becoming homeless Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .