Brief

School Mental Health Experiences and Preferences Among Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial LGBTQ+ Youth

Brandon Stratford, Zabryna Balén, Cassidy Guros, and Claire Kelley
October 2025 | Child Trends

This research brief by Child Trends seeks to help schools better understand what Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial LGBTQ+ students want out of their school’s mental health support. Researchers analyzed over 5,000 student responses and found that students want their school to know that (1) not every challenge they face is related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, (2) they want staff to engage them in ways that promote a sense of belonging, (3) they want agency to select the options that work best for them, (4) they want to be assured that their privacy will be respected, and (5) they want their LGBTQ+ identities affirmed and discrimination addressed. In addition to shedding light on student perspectives, the brief offers ways for school-based staff to improve their mental health strategies. Overall, school leaders and staff may find this resource helpful in familiarizing themselves with existing evidence while learning ways to challenge limitations in their current mental health programming. 

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