Depression, Anxiety, and Interest in Mental Health Resources in School-Based Gender-Sexuality Alliances: Implications for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Health Promotion

Schools can be a setting to address mental health needs of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth. Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), as extracurricular support groups, provide an existing structure that could be leveraged to reach SGM youth and deliver services. Nevertheless, limited data indicate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among GSA members, how often GSAs discuss mental health, or their receptivity to resources. Participants in the current study were 580 youth (M-age = 15.59; 79% sexual minority, 57% cisgender female; 68% White) and 58 advisors in 38 GSAs purposively sampled across Massachusetts. Youth completed established measures of depression and anxiety; advisors reported how frequently their GSAs discussed mental health; and both reported their interest in mental health materials. Among youth, 70.1% scored above the threshold indicating probable mild depression, and 34.4% scored above the threshold suggesting concerning anxiety. Adjusted odds ratios indicated that the odds of depression and anxiety were higher for SGM members relative to heterosexual and cisgender members, particularly among youth reporting SGM identities that have been underrepresented. GSAs discussed mental health with some frequency over the school year. Youth and advisors expressed strong interest in resources. Findings support the case for developing selective and indicated school-based prevention programming for youth in GSAs to address their mental health needs.

Automated summary

Schools have the potential to address the mental health needs of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, with Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) serving as a possible avenue for support. The study found high rates of depression and anxiety among GSA members, along with a strong interest from both youth and advisors in mental health resources. These findings support the need for targeted school-based prevention programs for youth in GSAs to address their mental health needs.