It makes sense to be concerned about the mental health of your child. The pressures to fit in, do well in school and adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to extremely high rates of depression and anxiety in young people.
Additionally, people who identify as LGBTQ+ have mental health concerns at a higher rate than the general population. So for children facing realities of growing up and dealing with their sexual or gender identity, life can seem especially overwhelming.
Deciding when to come out is probably the single-hardest decision for children identifying as LGBTQ+. On one hand, they’re afraid of being rejected by friends and family. On the other hand, staying silent can cause all kinds of unhealthy emotions.