A new report from The Trevor Project has revealed some heartbreaking and alarming statistics about the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in Kansas — and the numbers are hard to ignore.
According to the survey, 39% of LGBTQ+ kids in Kansas seriously considered suicide in the past year. That number jumps to 40% when it comes to transgender and nonbinary youth. Even more devastating, 15% actually attempted suicide. The report also shows that 65% of queer kids experienced anxiety, and nearly half showed signs of depression.
But that’s not all. Almost half of the LGBTQ+ youth surveyed said they wanted to get mental health care but couldn’t access it. And 28% reported being physically threatened or harmed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity in just the past year. A shocking 63% said they faced discrimination. These numbers paint a clear and painful picture of what it’s like growing up queer in Kansas.
One of the most disturbing findings was how politics plays into their well-being. More than half — 53% — said recent political decisions have negatively affected their mental health, and nearly half of them are thinking about leaving the state because of it. It’s not because they’re different. It’s because of the stigma and discrimination they face every day.
Ronita Nath, vice president of research at The Trevor Project, stressed how much state policies impact these kids’ lives. States with more supportive and inclusive laws report lower rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts among LGBTQ+ youth. The connection is clear: when lawmakers push discriminatory policies, it directly harms children.
Despite these alarming statistics, Kansas lawmakers continue to focus on legislation that makes life harder for queer youth. Instead of expanding access to mental health care or funding more counseling services in schools, they’ve banned gender-affirming care and are working on laws that restrict students’ preferred pronouns. Meanwhile, nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth in Kansas can’t get the mental health support they desperately need — often because they can’t afford it or are afraid they won’t be taken seriously.
But there is a glimmer of hope. The survey shows that kids thrive when they’re in supportive environments. When their homes and communities accept them for who they are, their mental health improves. Right now, only 44% of LGBTQ+ kids in Kansas feel their home is an affirming space, and just 65% say their community is accepting.
So here’s the takeaway: If you want to help, start by showing love and acceptance. Trust these kids when they tell you who they are. Make your home a safe place. Support them in your schools and neighborhoods. Kansas lawmakers may be slow to change, but as individuals, we can create the kind of support system these kids desperately need. Let’s not wait until it’s too late.
