Written by Shannon Wise, MM, MS : Resident in Counseling
June 28, 1970 marked the first Gay Pride Liberation marches, and in 1999, Bill Clinton officially designated June to be Pride Month in the United States. Thanks to this commemoration, June has become a month of rainbows and celebrations, Pride marches and merchandise promotions, and public support from corporations and businesses willing to risk open advocacy despite the recent shutdown of DEI initiatives.
Sadly, despite these efforts to lift up the LGTBTQ+ community, evidence shows that members of this minority group are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health conditions, specifically anxiety and depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, LGBTQ+ adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience mental health challenges, and transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals to experience a mental health condition. Even more concerning are the findings of a study in 2024 reporting that states who passed anti-transgender laws aimed at minors saw suicide attempts by transgender and gender nonconforming teenagers increase by as much as 72% in the following years. And as we move into the final days of Pride month, this past week’s headlines revealed the shocking news that due to proposed 2026 budget cuts, the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will stop providing tailored support options to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults beginning on July 17.
As the mom of a trans kid and a LGBTQ+ ally, it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed and deeply discouraged by the rollback of support and resources specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community. But it is precisely in this challenging time that the greatest advocacy for mental health is needed. Whether in big or small ways, we can all take action to ensure that real Pride- a consciousness of one’s own dignity and self-respect - is possible for each member of the LGBTQ+ community through mental health support.
5 ways you can help care for LGBTQ+ mental health in your family and community:
Be there
Check on your LGBTQ+ loved ones- ask them how they’re doing and offer a safe space for them to feel listened to and validated. Use reflective listening instead of offering advice, especially if you are not a part of the community. We can never fully understand the experience of another person, but we can validate their feelings, ask them what they need, and let them know they are loved.
Speak up
If you notice signs of withdrawal, depression, or anxiety, say something. Let them know you’re concerned and ask what sources of support they have available. Do they have supportive family members or friends who they can talk to? Are they currently seeing a therapist or other mental health care professional? Let them know you will be there, and if you feel overwhelmed, reach out for help. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you can walk with them through finding sources of strength and healing.
Seek help
The Trevor Project provides a wealth of resources for the LGBTQ+ community, and can be a first stop in reaching out for mental health support. Following the 2024 elections, this organization experienced a nearly 700% increase in volume across their crisis services. Offering support through text, calls, and chats, their counselors are available 24/7, 365 days a year, and their services are 100% confidential and free of charge. Share this resource with a LGBTQ+ friend in need or a family member who is struggling to let them know they are not alone and that they can always reach out for help whenever needed. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/crisis-services/
Show Support
Whether you fly a rainbow flag in your yard, post an affirming message on your social media, mount an ally bumper sticker on your car, or wear pro-LGBTQ+ clothing or accessories, each of these small acts shows support in meaningful ways. Listing your pronouns on your social media profiles and personal and professional email signatures is another small step that makes a big impact in validating gender inclusiveness. If you are a business owner, posting an inclusive and affirming message on your website lets potential customers know they are valued and that their identity will be recognized. This visible act of welcome is especially important for faith communities, as an acknowledgment of the religious trauma that many LGBTQ+ have experienced and a sign of spiritual safety.
Advocate
There are countless ways to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights- both publicly and privately. PFLAG has an extensive list of ways to advocate for LGBTQ+ justice, equity and inclusion (https://shorturl.at/HGfrr).
Not everyone feels comfortable being a public activist through attending marches, protests, or rallies. Being an advocate can also mean contacting representatives through organizations like the ACLU (https://action.aclu.org/send-message/protect-trans-care-now), supporting pro-LGBTQ+ political candidates, or having one on one conversations that broaden perspectives and dispel misinformation through shared stories and personal connection.
When speaking about Pride, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez explains, “This month I think of as a celebration, as a time for us to just be happy and to live. But I always think about the work afterwards and how long it’s going to take, and I think that’s not only up to the LGBTQAI youth and LGBTQAI+ individuals, but it’s up to our allies, too.” Whether in big or small ways, we can all play a part in lifting up the community through supporting LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness. Pride month might be over soon, but its purpose is ongoing. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should last all year long.
Sources:
Devi Shastri. (2025, June 18). 988 hotline removing LGBTQ+ youth support next month. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/988-lgbtq-suicide-prevention-hotline-trump-382342828b381b6a32964f09fe9aa59c
Kacala, A. (2022, June 20). “Pose” star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez opens up about breaking boundaries on TV and in music. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/popculture/popculture/michaela-jae-rodriguez-interview-rcna34384
Merriam-Webster. (2019). Definition of pride. In Merriam-webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pride
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2024). LGBTQ+. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/lgbtq/
Simmons-Duffin, S. (2024, September 26). More trans teens attempted suicide after states passed anti-trans laws, a study shows. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/09/25/nx-s1-5127347/more-trans-teens-attempted-suicide-after-states-passed-anti-trans-laws-a-study-shows
The Trevor Project. (2025, February 5). Finding Support & Building Community Amid Political Uncertainty. The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/finding-support-building-community-amid-political-uncertainty/