LGBTQIA+ young adults report worse mental health than their non-LGBTQIA+ peers in outcomes such as experienced mental health, happiness, severe loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and self-satisfaction. This is shown by the Young Adults Health Monitor 2024.

Of the young adults (16 to 25 years old) who participated in the Young Adults Health Monitor 2024, 12% identified themselves as LGBTQIA+. Of these LGBTQIA+ young adults, over two-thirds (67%) indicated that they mostly to always feel they can be themselves as LGBTQIA+ individuals. 31% of LGBTQIA+ young adults experienced stress due to their identity, sexuality, or gender. 

Being yourself important for mental health

Among the factors studied that are related to mental health, there are few differences between LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ young adults. However, LGBTQIA+ young adults more often report factors associated with poorer mental health, such as financial difficulties. Conversely, they less often report factors associated with better mental health, such as resilience. Additionally, the feeling of being able to be oneself as an LGBTQIA+ individual appears to play an important role: LGBTQIA+ young adults who mostly to always experience this report better mental health on all measured outcomes than those who do not feel they can be themselves.

Discrimination and aggression

In the supplementary qualitative research, young adults mentioned discrimination and aggression towards LGBTQIA+ individuals and the lack of acceptance of this group as possible causes of poorer mental health. Although most young adults in the qualitative research expressed respect for LGBTQIA+ individuals, there is still a lack of acceptance, for example, of LGBTQIA+ individuals who stand out more with their appearance.

You can read more about this, including some starting points for further research and policy, in the Factsheet Mental health among LGBTQIA+ young adults (external link).

Research accountability

From April to July 2024, all GGD Municipal Health Services (Municipal Health Services), together with the RIVM and GGD GHOR Nederland Municipal / Joint Health Services – Medical Assistance Organization in the Region (Municipal / Joint Health Services – Medical Assistance Organization in the Region), conducted a study among 16- to 25-year-olds in the Netherlands: the Young Adults Health Monitor 2024. Over 135,000 young adults completed the questionnaire about their health, well-being, and lifestyle. They were mainly recruited via social media advertisements. It is possible that respondents with poorer (mental) health participated relatively more often. Additionally, qualitative research was conducted through focus groups and interviews with 58 young adults.

GOR Network

The GOR Network consists of the RIVM, the GGDs, GGD GHOR Nederland, Nivel, and ARQ National Psychotrauma Center (National Psychotrauma Center) National Psychotrauma Center. ZonMw Health Research Netherlands Medical Sciences (Health Research Netherlands Medical Sciences) is commissioned by the Ministry of VWS Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) to conduct the research.