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Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth in Washington

Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth in Washington

Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth in Washington

This article contains alarming statistics about suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

Recently, the Trevor Project has announced some shocking statistics about LGBTQ+ youth. According to the organization, two in five (41%) of LGBTQ+ youth have very seriously contemplated attempting suicide within the past year. In other words, half of transgender and non-binary respondents and nearly three in 10 cisgender respondents.

The LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization released a 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. It surveyed more than 28,000 LGBTQ+ youth between ages 13 and 24. 

The results featured a slight decrease from last year’s results, where 45 percent of LGBTQ+ respondents seriously considered attempting suicide.

Mental health support must be available to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing adverse mental health outcomes. Our listings at LGBTQ and All can put youth in touch with a mental health professional to access help. 

If you are a young person located in Washington, this article will outline LGBTQ+ and mental health facts in Seattle, Everett, and Tacoma. 

Seattle, Washington: Information for LGBTQ+ Youth

LGBTQ+ Facts

Seattle is renowned for its significant LGBTQ+ community and long history of LGBTQ+ rights and celebrations. This city has protected LGBTQ+ workers since it passed the Fair Employment Practice Ordinance in 1973. In addition, the LGBTQ+ culture itself in Seattle features events like Pride Week, which got its start in 1977.

Since the 1930s, there has been a gay cabaret that has been performed in Seattle. In addition, Seattle has had LGBTQ+-friendly clubs and bars since the 1930s, like The Casino in Underground Seattle at Pioneer Square, The Double Header, in operation from about 1933 or 1934 until 2015), and maybe the oldest gay bar in the nation.

Seattle’s LGBTQ+ recreation area is located in Capitol Hill, featuring bars, bookstores, and other venues.

Mental Health in Seattle, WA

In Washington state, hospitals have been seeing a significant increase in emergency room visits from kids and youth who have mental health issues and who are in crisis.

Seattle Children’s Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital have reported admitting more youth to the hospital because of self-harm and suicide attempts.

In addition, 60% of E.R. visits for mental health issues are from teens 15 to 18 years old. By comparison, youth between 12 and 14 years of age comprise 36% of mental health visits and 4% account for children under 11.

At LGBTQ and ALL, we have compiled a list of mental health practitioners for kids in the Seattle area. Be sure to navigate our listings to find a qualified professional in your area.

Everett, Washington: Information for LGBTQ+ Youth

LGBTQ+ Facts

Everett, Washington, does not have much of an LGBTQ+ scene. It once had an LGBTQ+ bar called Bar Myx, which is now permanently closed. However, Everett is only an hour from Seattle, with a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. 

Mental Health in Everett, WA

Healthcare providers have noticed a troubling amount of kids and youth who have been trying to get mental health treatment at hospitals and emergency rooms throughout the pandemic.

One health provider in Washington, Swedish Health Services, found that there has been a substantial increase in students admitted to the emergency department. In addition, there are increasing needs for in-patient care due to psychiatric and behavioral health issues. 

According to data from the U.S. Surgeon General:

  • One in five children will have a diagnosable mental health condition every year.
  • One in ten kids and youth experience symptoms that are debilitating enough to negatively impact their daily functioning in settings like school, home, and the community.

Also, when children do not receive the mental health care that they need, it can create many issues like: 

  • They most likely will struggle in school and may not graduate from high school. 
  • These kids and youth are at a higher risk for family and social relationship challenges, and they are at a greater risk for conflicts with loved ones.
  • They are at a higher risk for delinquency.

In Everett, many options are available for mental health treatments for children and youth. At LGBTQ and ALL, you can find a list of psychologists for kids in your area.

Tacoma, Washington: Information for LGBTQ+ Youth

LGBTQ+ Facts

The Tacoma area is one of the friendliest areas for LGBTQ+ people in the United States. In 2012, The Advocate even named Tacoma as the “Gayest City in America.” 

While there isn’t a designated LGBTQ+ district, there is still an extensive and vibrant queer community all around town. One of the best LGBTQ+-friendly bars is called The Mix. 

In addition, the Rainbow Center is one of the best resources for queer folks in the Tacoma area. This community center dedicates itself to education, advocacy, and empowering the city’s LGBTQ+ population. There is also a local branch of PFLAG in Tacoma. 

Mental Health in Tacoma, WA 

One study from the journal PLOS ONE evaluated more than 200 Seattle-area children and teens at three stages: before the onset of the pandemic, during the first lockdown phase, and six months after that, when schools in the region were still operating remotely.

The study concluded that the spread of COVID-19 and economic hardships and social isolation contributed to stress, depression, and anxiety among children and teens.

Some factors that improved mental health during the earlier portion of the pandemic were a daily routine, good sleep quality, and less screen time, as reported by researchers at Harvard University and the University of Washington.

The study featured two groups of Seattle-area children from ages 7 to 10 and teens ages 13 to 15. About half of the people surveyed were female, and about one-third were kids of color.

**Note: This language features gender dichotomously as that is what is indicated in the research, and it does not talk about any variability. We have used the language in these statistics because this is what was reported in the study.

Children are continually struggling with their mental health due to the effects of the pandemic. However, there is help available in the Tacoma area. To find a psychologist for kids in this region, check out our listings at LGBTQ and ALL. In addition, we have an extensive list of mental health care providers for children and youth in areas all over the world.  

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Kaitlen Knowles, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW (she, her), Rochester, NY
Pagano Wellness Clinic – Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy in Richmond Virginia
gu wellness counseling, Virtual Therapist Service in Denver, CO

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