A national study of US teenagers suggests that having someone safe to talk to can make a striking difference to depression and suicide risk among gay, lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority young people. The findings highlight the importance of supportive families, friends, schools and trusted adults.

Essential Takeaways

  • Trusted support helps: LGBQ+ teenagers who had someone to turn to reported much lower levels of depression and suicidal thinking.
  • The gap is significant: Among gay and lesbian teens, depression affected 35% with a trusted person, compared with 61% without one.
  • Parents aren't always the first option: Sexual minority teens were less likely than heterosexual teens to say they'd seek help from a parent.
  • Schools can step in: Teachers, counsellors and other staff may provide vital support when home doesn't feel safe or affirming.
  • Connection matters: A dependable adult relationship can offer reassurance, belonging and a route to further help.

One trusted person can change the picture

The clearest message from the research is also the simplest: teenagers do better when they know who they can call, message or sit beside when life becomes overwhelming. For LGBQ+ young people, that safety net appears particularly important.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, examined national survey data from US adolescents aged 12 to 17. Among gay and lesbian teenagers, 61% of those without someone to confide in had experienced depression during the previous year, compared with 35% of those who had a trusted person, according to the study report and its accompanying research summary. [2], [3]

The difference was even sharper for suicidal thinking. Around two-thirds of gay and lesbian teenagers without a trusted person had seriously considered suicide, compared with just over one-quarter of those who did have someone available. Those figures don't suggest that one conversation solves everything, but they do show how powerful a sense of connection can be. [2], [3]

Why parents may not be the first port of call

For many teenagers, parents remain the natural place to seek help. But the study found that LGBQ+ young people were less likely than heterosexual teenagers to say they would turn to a parent when facing a serious problem.

That may reflect fear of rejection, previous experiences of stigma or uncertainty about how family members will respond. Sexual minority teenagers were more likely to name friends, romantic partners and other adults instead, often building a wider circle of support rather than relying on one person. [2], [3]

It's an important distinction. Seeking help elsewhere doesn't mean young people don't want their parents' support; it may mean they're carefully working out where they feel safest. Research on social relationships has long shown that dependable, accepting connections can protect wellbeing, particularly during stressful periods. [4], [5]

Friends help, but supportive adults still matter

Friends can be wonderfully immediate. They understand the school corridors, group chats and daily pressures that adults may miss, and a quick message can feel easier than a formal appointment. For a teenager who feels isolated, that first response can be the difference between keeping distress private and letting someone in.

But friends shouldn't be expected to carry the whole burden. A peer may listen with kindness but still not know what to do when someone mentions self-harm or suicide. That's where a steady adult, school counsellor, healthcare professional or youth worker can provide both emotional support and a route to specialist help. [6], [7]

The broader evidence points in the same direction: supportive relationships and affirming environments are associated with better mental health and lower suicide risk among sexual minority young people. A warm conversation matters, but so does knowing what happens next. [4], [6], [7]

Schools can help close the support gap

Schools are often where teenagers spend most of their waking week, which gives staff a practical opportunity to notice changes and offer support. A trusted teacher, pastoral lead, counsellor or nurse may become the adult a young person chooses when home doesn't feel like a safe starting point.

That doesn't require staff to have perfect answers. Listening without judgement, using the young person's language, respecting privacy and knowing how to connect them with appropriate services can create a crucial sense of psychological safety. Studies have linked supportive school personnel and inclusive school climates with reduced suicide risk and stronger wellbeing among LGBQ+ students. [6], [7]

The best approach is not to wait for a crisis. Visible anti-bullying policies, inclusive pastoral care and clear safeguarding routes can make support feel ordinary rather than alarming. For teenagers, that quiet preparation can make it easier to ask for help before distress becomes unbearable. [6], [7]

What families and adults can do now

Adults don't need a flawless speech. Starting with a calm question, listening before offering advice and making it clear that the young person won't be punished for being honest can go a long way. Even a simple, "I'm glad you told me, and we'll work through this together," can soften a frightening moment.

If a teenager mentions suicidal thoughts, treat it seriously and seek urgent professional help rather than promising secrecy. In the US, people can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; elsewhere, contact local emergency services or a recognised crisis service. Friends and relatives should also involve a trusted adult when safety is at risk.

The study's wider lesson is hopeful but practical. Support doesn't have to come from one perfect relationship, yet every teenager deserves at least one dependable person who will listen, stay present and help them reach further care when needed.

Small moments of dependable connection can become a powerful safety net.

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