Pride Month shines a spotlight on both the progress and ongoing mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Mental health care remains a critical need within this community, as local therapists emphasize the importance of accessible resources now more than ever.
For many LGBTQ+ young people, visibility during Pride Month offers validation, but day-to-day struggles with mental health persist. Recent data from The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health reveals that half of LGBTQ+ youth seeking mental health support were unable to access it.
Holly Humphreys, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks in Roanoke, Virginia, explained, “Resources are being stripped away just as we were beginning to build more support systems. This has significantly limited what is available for LGBTQ+ individuals.”
Humphreys also highlighted how lack of awareness and stigma—both external and internal—can affect mental health. “Many people face unintentional bias because of limited understanding, which compounds the challenges LGBTQ+ youth already experience.”
Jesse Pruitt, a violence prevention educator and Diversity Camp volunteer who grew up queer in the area, spoke to the importance of community. “When I was younger, there wasn’t much support or a sense of belonging. Now, seeing young people connect and support each other is incredibly empowering.”
The demand for mental health services among LGBTQ+ individuals is on the rise. Humphreys noted, “Thriveworks has seen over a 21 percent increase in therapy searches by LGBTQ+ clients, showing the growing need for accessible mental health care.”
As Pride Month continues, mental health advocates urge communities to prioritize inclusive support and address barriers that prevent LGBTQ+ youth from receiving the help they deserve.
