Health · Mental Health · 1 day ago
Discrimination linked to higher mental health risks for LGBTQ+ college students
A national study linked discrimination with worse mental health for LGBTQ+ college students.
Researchers analyzed survey responses from 17,942 students aged 18 to 24 at 119 colleges and universities in 34 states.
One in 10 students experienced discrimination on campus in the previous year.
Compared with students who did not report campus discrimination, they were 84% more likely to meet criteria for depression, 87% more likely for anxiety and 78% more likely to report suicidal thoughts.
Being denied health care was linked to more than twice the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
Nearly 5% of LGBQ+ students and 13% of transgender and nonbinary students said they had avoided needed medical care.
The findings point to counseling as a chance to identify distress and connect students with affirming care, though no specific follow-up action was given.
LGBTQ+ college students who experienced discrimination were more likely to report depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, a national study found.
The study analyzed responses from 17,942 LGBTQ+ students at 119 colleges and universities across 34 states.
One in 10 participants experienced discrimination on campus during the previous year.
Students who experienced discrimination were also more likely to avoid needed health care.
The researchers said reducing discrimination and improving access to affirming care could support students’ well-being.
- Who
- LGBTQ+ college students ages 18 to 24, and researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.
- What
- A national study found that discrimination was associated with higher risks of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, as well as avoiding needed care.
- When
- The study analyzed responses from the 2024–2025 Healthy Minds Study. It was published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- 119 colleges and universities across 34 states in the United States.
- Why
- Researchers examined how discrimination affects students’ mental health and health care experiences.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers analyzed responses from the Healthy Minds Study.
More than 1,000 bills were introduced that would limit transgender people's access to health care, education or legal recognition, McKetta said.
The study findings were reported by News-Medical.
- Participants
- 17,942 LGBTQ+ students ages 18 to 24
- Institutions
- 119 colleges and universities
- States
- 34
- Campus discrimination
- One in 10 participants experienced it during the previous year
- Depression risk
- 84 percent higher likelihood among students who experienced discrimination
- Suicidal thoughts
- 78 percent higher likelihood among students who experienced discrimination
What people are saying
In addition to an increasingly hostile federal climate, many states have enacted legislation aiming to curtail LGBTQ+ rights
Improving access to affirming health care and reducing discrimination during this transition can have lasting benefits