Mental Health and Recovery Resources for LGBTQIA+ Teens and Young Adults in Oregon

 
 
 

Why Inclusive Mental Health Support Matters

LGBTQIA+ youth face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use. This is especially true for teens, who are in a transformative time in their lives. Understanding their identity while juggling academics and other activities can cause what often feels like insurmountable stress. Many LGBTQIA+ youth also experience stigma or rejection, which can compound mental health challenges.

Summer is a natural and strategic time to start treatment for mental health struggles or substance abuse, since teens are often away from academic stress and routines.

Insight Northwest Recovery is an LGBTQIA+ affirming space for healing and growth. At INR, we offer summer mental health programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, such as integrated treatment for those who are struggling with co-occurring disorders.

The Mental Health Landscape for LGBTQIA+ Youth in Oregon

Oregon is a very progressive state, with strong legal protections in place to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Portland, specifically, is known for its diverse LGBTQIA+ community, and other cities like Bend and Eugene also have active LGBTQIA+communities. However, despite these legal protections, LGBTQIA+ youth still face disparities, especially when it comes to mental health.

  • 45% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year (The Trevor Project, 2023)

  • Over 70% reported symptoms of anxiety or depression

  • LGBTQIA+ youth are twice as likely to experience homelessness

Mental health struggles, as seen in the above infographic, almost half of LGBTQIA+ youth have grappled with suicide ideation, and almost 3 out of 4 LGBTQIA+ have struggled with anxiety or depression. Additionally, these young people are also more likely to experience homelessness. The stigma against LGBTQIA+ identities, as well as the potential for discrimination and rejection, are often attributed to these disparities among LGBTQIA+ youth.

LGBTQIA+ youth of color and trans youth often face additional barriers when it comes to accessing mental health care or treatment for substance use. According to the Trevor Project, these barriers include affordability, parental permission, and fear of discrimination or mistreatment.

Common Challenges LGBTQIA+ Teens and Young Adults Face

LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults face unique challenges due to their identities.

Identity-based discrimination and rejection (including from family or school)

Despite progress made when it comes to acceptance and protection for LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults, identity-based discrimination and rejection, including from family or school, can lead to these young people feeling ostracized or isolated. Family and school are support systems for teens and young adults, but they can also become a source of stress for these individuals when discrimination or rejection for simply being themselves is present.

Bullying or social exclusion

Bullying and social exclusion can also make LGBTQIA+ feel isolated and both negatively impact self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of belonging. This is especially difficult during these transformative years, when community and support are crucial to developing minds and identities.

Gender dysphoria, body image issues, or navigating transitions

Navigating transitions and struggling with gender dysphoria and body image, especially through adolescence and puberty, add another level of stress to LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults.

Internalized shame or trauma

Internalized shame over a non-heteronormative identity, as well as trauma from childhood experiences or discrimination faced over being LGBTQIA+, can weigh heavy on LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults. When coupled with the fear of discrimination or rejection, it can be even more difficult to understand and overcome shame, or discuss past traumas.

Pressure to appear “okay” while silently struggling

The stigma against saying how we feel when we’re not OK also affects LGBTQIA+ teens and youth—however, the stigma against LGBTQIA+ identities, discrimination and rejection can make it harder for these young people to speak up.

These challenges, which are common across LGBTQIA+ identities, can often lead to mental health challenges for teens and young adults.

Mental health symptoms may look like:

  • Withdrawal

  • Mood swings

  • Risky behavior or substance use

  • School avoidance

The Connection Between LGBTQIA+ Identity, Mental Health, and Substance Use

Due to stigma, discrimination, and rejection, as well as the common challenges noted above, LGBTQIA+ youth face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and even substance use. But, mental health challenges often come before substance use. Substance use often arises as a means to cope with these feelings and the common challenges facing these teens and young adults.

LGBTQIA+ youth may turn to substances to:

  • Numb emotional pain

  • Cope with rejection or trauma

  • Fit in socially

Feelings of isolation or having to keep quiet about struggles can be overwhelming. Individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are struggling with a mental disorder may turn to substances, such as drugs or alcohol, to self-medicate. However, this usually worsens their symptoms, potentially leading to a cycle of addiction.

The presence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time is known as a co-occurring disorder—or sometimes a dual diagnosis or comorbidity. A dual diagnosis occurs when both conditions complicate diagnosis, making treatment more challenging.

INR treats co-occurring disorders, addressing both substance use and mental health together. We approach co-occurring disorders through integrated treatment models, in which conditions are treated simultaneously rather than separately.

 
 

What to Look for: Signs Your Teen or Young Adult May Need Support

LGBTQIA+ youth deserve affirming treatment for their mental health struggles and substance use to help them heal, grow, and embrace who they are. It’s difficult to realize that your teen or young adult may need support. But the best thing you can do is to connect your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult with the help they need to live their lives authentically.

There are signs your teen or young adult may need help.

Emotional distress

Symptoms such as frequent crying, anger, or hopelessness are usually a sign that your teen or young adult is struggling, especially when they used to seem more emotionally regulated.

Substance use

LGBTQIA+ teens or young adults may be engaging in drinking alcohol more regularly or hiding their alcohol consumption. They may be vaping heavily, or they are increasingly defensive about their habits.

Isolation

Avoiding friends or family and spending all day alone is a sign that your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult may be struggling to navigate complex feelings. Like with emotional distress, this is especially true if your teen or young adult usually enjoyed being with family or their friends.

Drastic changes in appearance, sleep, or grades

Mental health decline is often reflected in changes in one’s appearance, their sleep hygiene, or their academic or work performance. Daily upkeep and activities can slip when your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult is struggling.

Saying “I don’t feel like myself” or expressing shame

Perhaps your teen or young adult has expressed they are feeling off or different, or they’re increasingly shameful about being LGBTQIA+. These are signs that they may be struggling internally and their mental health may be on a decline.

If you notice any of these signs, it is OK to ask your teen or young adult if everything is OK. You don’t have to have all the answers—just starting the conversation can lead to healing.

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Treatment at INR

At INR, we offer an affirming space for LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults who are struggling with mental health and substance use to heal and grow. We provide inclusive, LGBTQIA+-friendly rehab and addiction treatment for teens Oregon through a lens of trauma-informed care. Your teen or young adult’s journey towards overcoming mental health challenges is unique, so we approach each client with the understanding that treatment is never one-size-fits-all. We honor their individual story and strive to create an environment that provides hope and supports you every step of the way on your path to recovery. Our mission is to help LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults to foster self-acceptance and attain long-term recovery.

Specifically, INR offers inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ clients:

✔ Trauma-informed therapy

✔ Support for gender identity and coming out

✔ Family therapy for rebuilding trust and understanding

✔ Co-occurring disorder treatment

✔ Medication management when needed

Our staff are trained in LGBTQIA+ mental health best practices and understand the unique, common struggles of LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults. Clients are supported in being their full, authentic selves, without judgment.

Programs offered:

Summer is an ideal and strategic time to begin care for your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult because the school year’s responsibilities take a hiatus.

How Parents Can Support Their LGBTQIA+ Teen or Young Adult

As a parent, you can be one of the strongest supports for your LGBTQIA+teen or young adult.

  • Be a safe place—even if you don’t understand everything yet

    Often, your teen or young adult is still navigating who they are. In the same way, you don’t need to know or understand everything yet. You simply need to show that you are a safe space and a person in their life who wants to help.

  • Use affirming language and ask respectful questions

    Showing support necessitates using affirming language when it comes to sexuality and gender, including preferred pronouns. And, the right questions to ask your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult are those that respect their identity while showing you are seeking to understand who they are.

  • Let them lead, but offer consistent support

    Your teen or young adult will open up when they feel comfortable. Let them lead when it comes to sharing how they feel, but offer constant support to remind your child they are not in this alone.

  • Involve yourself in treatment when appropriate (INR offers family therapy)

    Helping your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult overcome mental health challenges and drug abuse requires familial support, even if your family is small. Often, families can work through these struggles together through family therapy, which focuses on all members and their relationships.

  • Don’t wait for a crisis—early support makes a difference

    You don’t have to wait until a moment of crisis to show support. Intervening at the earliest signs of something being off can make a huge difference—it shows you are present, aware, invested, and want to help.

So, what can you say to show support to your LGBTQIA+ teen or young adult? Here are some phrases:

  • “I believe you.”

  • “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

  • “I’m proud of who you are.”

LGBTQIA+ Mental Health and Recovery Resources in Oregon

While you can be one of the strongest support systems for your LGBTQIA+ teen or adult as they navigate mental health struggles and substance use, there are a variety of resources available that can also help—even you, too. Advocacy groups and centers can be an integral part of your team as you help your LGBTQIA+ youth in their journey to overcome their current struggles to live life fully and authentically. 

Start Healing This Summer

Mental health challenges are real—but recovery and resilience are possible. This summer is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and take the first step.

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, identity, substance use, or isolation, INR can help. Our LGBTQIA+ affirming programs support every part of the healing process—from self-acceptance to long-term recovery. We even offer summer mental health programs for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Schedule a free consultation today. Let this be the summer everything starts to shift for the better.

 
Chris EmeryInsight Northwest Recovery