Queer Youth Resilience & Mental Health
Every day, queer teens and young adults are challenged by the politicization of gender identity and sexual orientation and the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. And the mental health consequences are alarming. A staggering 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth 13 through 24 report to have seriously considered suicide, and 14 percent have tried to hurt themselves, according to a 2022 report from The Trevor Project. Considering LGBTQ+ youth face continued fights around their identity, what are mental health concerns specific to queer youth? And what support is necessary for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults to best take care of their well-being amid a national political climate that’s working against them?
Join Call to Mind host Kimberly Adams for Queer Youth Resilience & Mental Health, a one-hour broadcast special.
Contact your local public radio station for broadcast information.
GUESTS
Brian Coleman, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Jones College Prep High School, Chicago Public School District
Laura Holt, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Mental Health Services-Habif Health and Wellness Center
Washington University in St. Louis
Jordyn Pruitt
Georgia College & State University
Graduating class 2026
Danielle Ramo, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of California San Francisco
Chief Clinical Officer, BeMe Health
Steven Rocha
Policy Director
PRISM Florida
PRODUCTION TEAM
Kimberly Adams
The host of Call to Mind’s broadcast specials, and a host and senior correspondent for APM’s Marketplace. She covers mental health, politics, business and the economy for American Public Media from Washington, DC, where she also serves on the Board of Governors at the National Press Club.
Jessica Bari
Call to Mind’s senior producer, is an award-winning producer and journalist. With an extensive focus in health news and programming—her work has been on national and regional public radio stations, PBS, Discovery channel, History channel and SiriusXM’s Doctor Radio channel.
RESOURCES
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential phone & text crisis support. Call or text 988 to get started.
BeMe Health
A mobile mental health platform — to improve teen well-being by bringing together the best aspects of digital media, live support, and clinical care.
Give Us the Floor
A safe teen-only online community for LGBTQI+ youth to break isolation while providing social contact and anonymity. Trained teen peer counselors facilitate the confidential groups chats.
Glsen
An education organization working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
HopeLab
A social innovation lab working at the intersection of tech and youth mental health.
imi
Online guides and resources to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ teens.
JED Foundation
A nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.
Mental Health America
Helping all people live mentally healthier lives through advocacy, public education, and service.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness.
This Is My Brave
Enables high school and college aged students to use storytelling to combat stigma around mental health.
Trevor Project
The world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQI+ youth.
Q Chat Space
An online chat-based discussion groups for LGBTQ+ teens ages 13 to 19.
Support for Call to Mind is provided by Sozosei Foundation and the David and Lura Lovell Foundation.