Interpersonal and structural stigma toward sexual minority youth create mental health challenges, increased suicide risk

Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania found that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth experienced more interpersonal discrimination based on others perceiving them as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and were four times more likely to attempt suicide. Additionally, LGB youth living in areas of the country with more structural stigma experienced a larger mental health burden than their peers. These findings stress the urgency for addressing interpersonal discrimination and structural stigma toward LGB youth.