How can we better support LGBTQIA+ teenagers?

More than one in ten high school students are queer. How can we better support LGBTQIA+ teenagers?

More than one in ten teenagers in Australian high schools identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, new research has found.

Dr Jennifer Marino from the University of Sydney led a team of researchers looking into sexuality and gender diversity among teenagers in Australia, publishing the team’s findings in the academic journal JAMA Network Open. The researchers surveyed 6,388 students in Year 8 over three years, between 2019 and 2021.

They found 12 per cent of participants identified as gay, bisexual, pansexual or asexual, and 3.3 per cent identified as gender-diverse.

Dr Marino and the team also found trans and non-binary adolescents were twice as likely to have a disability or a diagnosis for a mental health condition.

Researchers suggest the findings underscore an urgency for greater support services in schools and healthcare settings for LGBTQIA+ young people.

Gillian Maury is a member of the advocacy organisation PFLAG+, a coalition of parents, guardians, carers and friends of the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia. Formerly working in a school, she has noticed significant changes in how young, queer people are supported, especially in the last 10 years.

“I think things are improving, certainly,” Maury told Women’s Agenda. “But I think some people (and institutions) are still resistant to all this change.”

Queer people in Australia access mental health services at a much higher rate than heterosexual people. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics published in February 2024, almost half of the LGBTQIA+ community (46.8 per cent) saw a health professional for their mental health in the last 12 months. This is compared to 16 per cent of heterosexual people.

With more adolescents coming out, Maury said there is a need for more mental health support services available in schools, and a need for counsellors to provide tailored support to the LGBTQIA+ community.

“More people are starting to understand that sexuality is fluid,” she said, “and a lot of people understand that already. But I just think they could do with some more support.”

Many youth mental health services, including headspace, Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline are safe, inclusive spaces for young LGBTQIA+ folk. QLife is also a support service for Australians wishing to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

The problem, however, is funding and availability.

“(Organisations) maybe need more support and more money, so they can expand and welcome other people in,” Maury said.

Drop-in centres could also be a way to support young queer folk, Maury suggested.

“Maybe you could use a library or something, and have it as a drop-in centre, where kids could just go and talk about these things,” Maury said.

QLife is here to help: If you’re looking to connect with someone to explore what’s going on in your life, call 1800 184 527, 3pm-midnight each day.

Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) is a free, confidential online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Feeling worried or no good? Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.

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