The Impact Of School Bullying On LGBTQ Mental Health And Education Outcomes
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Children attend school in order to learn and grow, but it can be difficult to do this if their educational environment doesn't feel like a safe and welcoming place. For youth who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, being the target of identity-based bullying and discrimination at school is common, and it can significantly affect their mental health and educational outcomes. Here, we'll examine statistics about school bullying of LGBTQ+ students, its potential impacts, how schools can create more inclusive environments, and how mental health support can help those who have experienced bullying.
The state of LGBTQ youth mental health
LGBTQ+ youth and adults alike tend to be at greater risk of mental health challenges than their non-queer counterparts. Experts indicate that this disparity is likely due to two key reasons: because many queer people experience discrimination, harassment, and violence due to their identity, and because systemic barriers prevent many queer people from receiving medical and mental health care. These effects are typically even more pronounced for transgender and gender-diverse individuals as well as for queer people of color.
Bullying and mental health statistics related to LGBTQ students
Consider the following facts about the mental health of queer students from the Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey:
- Almost 40% of lesbian, gay, trans, queer, and bisexual youth report seriously considering attempting suicide last year, and this is true of 46% trans and non-binary youth specifically.
- Transgender and non-binary students who report attending a school that is gender-affirming have lower rates of attempting suicide. As many as 46% report attending a school that is not affirming.
- LGBTQ+ youth who say they live in accepting communities attempt suicide at less than half the rate of those who do not.
- Almost a quarter of queer youth say they’ve been physically threatened or harmed in the past year because of their queer identity.
- Around half of queer youth ages 13–17 report having been bullied in the past year.
- Queer youth who experience bullying of any kind are three times as likely to attempt suicide.
School bullying of LGBTQ students
While school is supposed to be a safe place to learn and build relationships, it can be a source of fear and stress for LGBT youth. As shared above, about half of queer teens report having been bullied based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Common forms of bullying faced by LGBTQ youth
Bullying is defined as the act of intentionally and repetitively abusing a person or group, either physically, verbally, or both. Bullying can take many forms, both online and in person. Below are just some examples of what LGBTQ students who are targets of bullying may face based on their identity:
- Mocking of voice or mannerisms
- Name-calling and rude comments
- Rumors and gossip about sexual activity
- Emotional harassment
- Cyber-bullying
- Intentional social exclusion and isolation
- Threats of violence
- Sexual assault
- In-person bullying like pushing, kicking, spitting, and other forms of physical violence
The long-term psychological impacts of bullying
For most targets, school violence and other forms of bullying aren’t just harmful experiences in the moment; they also have the potential to lead to long-lasting mental health challenges. Research suggests that even years after being bullied in school, people in their late 20s have higher rates of depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and suicidality.
Gender identity- or sexuality-based bullying as a public health concern
Surveys by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and other institutions continue to show that bullying of LGBTQ youth is a public health concern.
For one, there is a strong link between bullying and negative mental health outcomes, including depression, suicide, and substance misuse. Bullying can also negatively affect a student’s self-image, self-worth, relationships, home life, ability to focus, physical health, and more. The distress and anxiety related to not feeling safe at school can also make it difficult or nearly impossible to focus on learning and completing one’s schoolwork, so in this way, bullying can also affect educational outcomes.
Creating affirming spaces for LGBTQ students
Affirming environments are those that allow LGBTQ individuals to be themselves without fear of judgment or invalidation. Again, as mentioned above, the Trevor Project reports that young people who attend affirming schools and/or live in accepting communities are far likelier to attempt suicide. Creating inclusive and affirming school environments may also help reduce bullying and its mental and emotional tolls for gay teens and other LGBTQ youth.
The role of education professionals in preventing school bullying of LGBTQ students
As well as potentially preventing certain mental health challenges, an accepting school environment can help LGBTQ youth to succeed academically, make long-lasting friendships, and enjoy daily life. School administrators, school staff, and school psychologists can play a large role in creating a space that is supportive of LGBTQ youth.
Creating safer, more inclusive education environments
There are specific, tangible steps that teachers, administrators, and other educators can take to make a school environment more inclusive, affirming, and safe for queer students. Some examples of ways to promote school safety include:
- Hire specialized educators to train current school staff on LGBTQ+ topics so they can interact with queer students in an informed and affirming way
- Establish LGBTQ student organizations, led by LGBTQ staff members and allies, where students can connect with peers and build community in a supportive setting
- Make sure school psychologists are available to support LGBTQ+ students with knowledgeable care for specific concerns, including gender-related stress and bullying
- Create and enforce anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies that can help students of all identities feel safe and welcomed in their school
Implementing peer-led mentorship programs
Finally, peer-led mentorship programs can also be a source of support for LGBTQ youth navigating middle school or secondary education. These programs can link older queer students or allies with younger queer students so they have a friendly face in the halls and someone with whom they can discuss their experiences, concerns, and plans for the future, reinforcing a culture of support and compassion.
The role of gender-affirming language
For LGBTQ and transgender youth in particular, being referred to by the correct pronouns can be a life-saving form of respect and validation. The use of gender-affirming language can help all individuals—especially transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people—feel seen and supported. Studies suggest that when parents use gender-affirming language, TGD youth experience less depression and anxiety, and the same may be true of teachers and school staff. Training teachers and staff on the importance of using inclusive, gender-affirming language is another step that can contribute to the safety and well-being of queer youth at school.
Supportive talk therapy for queer individuals of any gender identity
Research continually suggests that having a strong social support system can be a protective factor against developing certain mental health challenges and may help a person be more resilient to stress. For queer youth who are being bullied or experiencing other forms of discrimination based on their identity, having a trusted and affirming therapist to speak with regularly can be a critical part of their support system. Parents of children who are experiencing such challenges may also benefit from receiving support in managing the stress of the situation.
How online therapy can help LGBTQ students
While receiving talk therapy support can be helpful, not all queer individuals live in an area with LGBTQ+-affirming providers nearby. Or, a person may not feel safe or comfortable commuting to an office and meeting with a provider in person, especially if they're living with anxiety or hypervigilance from experiences of bullying.
In such cases, online therapy might be a more convenient way to receive support. With a platform like BetterHelp for adults or TeenCounseling for those ages 13 to 19, an individual can get matched and then meet with a licensed therapist remotely, from anywhere they have an internet connection.
A recent study published by the Frontier of Psychology suggests that digital interventions may help reduce depression and stress in LGBTQ youth. This study is part of a large and growing body of research which suggests that online therapy in general can often be as effective as in-person treatment.
Takeaway
What percentage of LGBT students are bullied?
According to the Trevor Project, around half of queer middle and high school students report being bullied based on their identity. Among LGBT youth, transgender youth and trans girls specifically tend to be at higher risk of bullying in schools.
Which factor most influences the bullying of LGBTQ students?
In general, identity-based bullying of LGBTQ+ students stems from a homophobic and transphobic culture and the resulting intersectional forms of oppression that exist. In terms of a given school climate, having school policies to address bullying and providing psychological support for adolescent health and suicide prevention can be significant factors that may influence the rates and effects of bullying behaviors.
What percentage of LGBTQ students feel unsafe at school?
The Trevor Project shares that 46% of transgender and non-binary students reported that they do not consider their school to be an affirming place, which may make a young person feel unsafe. Students who do consider their schools to be affirming places are also less likely to attempt suicide.
What issues do LGBTQ students have?
LGBTQ+ students may face a variety of challenges based on their status as a gender or sexual minority. Due to experiencing higher rates of school bullying compared to other students who are not LGBTQ+, they may experience lower grade point averages, less participation in school activities, low self-esteem, psychological distress, and a higher risk of self-harm or suicide attempts. At home, common LGBT health risks for youth involve a lack of acceptance, misgendering, and family rejection based on gender or sexual identity.
What are the signs of bullying?
According to StopBullying.gov, there are several common warning signs that your child may be experiencing bullying at school. Some examples include unexplained injuries from being physically assaulted, trouble sleeping, a decline in academic performance, decreased self-esteem, and social withdrawal.
How to support students who identify as LGBTQ?
There are many different ways that schools and individual staff members can support queer students. Encouraging the formation of clubs like a gay-straight alliance, implementing strict anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies, providing affirming on-site counseling for students and referrals to adolescent psychiatry or psychology professionals as needed, and using a student's preferred name and pronouns are a few examples.
How can schools reduce the stigma of LGBTQ?
There are many different ways schools may be able to reduce LGBTQ+ stigma and related bullying. Some examples include encouraging the formation of peer mentorship and support groups on campus, normalizing inclusive language and the use of preferred pronouns, and implementing strict anti-bullying policies.
What are the long term effects of bullying?
Bullying can have significant long-term effects on a person’s well-being. For example, some research suggests that people in their late 20s who were bullied when younger may have higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and other mental health concerns, even years later.
What mental disorders do bullies have?
Not all bullies have a mental health disorder, but some do. Antisocial personality disorder is one condition that may affect some bullies.
What is the root cause of bullying?
The root cause of bullying may vary depending on the individual engaging in these behaviors. For some, it stems from insecurity or low self-esteem, while others may be living with a mental health condition like a personality disorder.
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