This June, NAMI NC is driven by the reality that LGBTQ+ people are impacted unequally by mental illness and a lack of mental health resources. That’s why we are celebrating NAMI’s theme of “Mental Health Without Conditions” for this year’s Pride Month. To us, mental health without conditions is more than a catchy slogan: it is a step toward mental health for all.

Statistics surrounding mental health in the LGBTQ+ community are alarming:

  • LGB youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth.
  • In 2021, nearly one-quarter of LGBQ+ students were bullied at school and nearly 30% were electronically bullied.
  • Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their lifetime compared to the general population.
  • 61% of LGBT people ages 18–29 report symptoms of anxiety compared to about 35% of their non-LGBT counterparts.
  • Half of LGBT people ages 18–29 report symptoms of depression compared to about 29% of their non-LGBT counterparts.
  • Hate crimes against LGBT people rose 70% from 2020 to 2021.
  • LGBT people are 9x more likely than non-LGBT people to be victims of violent hate crimes.
  • 76% of LGB adolescents reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row during the previous year.

However, together we can bring awareness, help, and support to those in the LGBTQ+ community who struggle with mental health conditions. Visit nami.org/pride to find valuable data, resources, social media post suggestions, and ways to get involved.