COVID-19 has had an alarming impact on the mental health of college students. This has been especially true for LGBTQ+ students, with the last three years seeing a concerning rise in thoughts of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. According to a report released earlier this summer by the Trevor Project, 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth respondents have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. The increase, the Trevor Project suggests, stems from not only from the negative impact of COVID-19, but other risk factors like barriers to mental health care and a wave of new state policies affecting LGBTQ+ rights. During July 2022 alone, ten anti-gay laws went into effect, all of them relating to education.
Even before recent events, LGBTQ+ students tended to be targets of harassment, and there is strong evidence that members of the LGBTQ+ community are at a higher risk for experiencing mental health issues – especially depression and anxiety disorders. Amidst these ongoing and widening challenges, college and university leaders have a responsibility to ensure they are supporting and fostering greater inclusion for LGBTQ+ students. 
Dr. Dick Senese
Here’s how.
Demonstrate Commitment. A clearly articulated and well-publicized commitment to inclusion may have a dramatic impact within schools and universities. With research showing that students who find their school to be LGBTQ-affirming report lower rates of attempting suicide, it’s critical that students know their college or university is not only accepting of them but actively supportive. Institutions should be explicit in articulating their inclusivity goals to their communities, providing specifics about how they plan to achieve their objectives as well as regular updates on any progress they make to show their students they are actively working on better inclusivity.
For instance, the University of Louisville has been recognized as one of the best institutions for LGBTQ+ students by being named a 2022 Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Campus by Campus Pride. In 2007, it became the first school in Kentucky to add gender identity to its non-discrimination policy. Since then, it has demonstrated its commitment to this policy by continuously expanding its support for LGBTQ+ students, from opening and maintaining a dedicated LGBTQ+ center to establishing gender-neutral restrooms.
Online institutions can demonstrate their commitment by ensuring people are recognized for who they are. This can mean rethinking information systems to ensure that appropriate names and pronouns are used for identification and on diplomas. Even online institutions sometimes hold in-person events. At Capella University (Capella) residencies, which are held in-person for some programs, pins listing pronouns are available. At office locations, the university provides gender neutral restrooms. Finally, all institutions can eliminate gendered language, such as, “freshman” The visibility created by these efforts will be noticed by LGBTQ+ students and their allies – sending a strong signal of support and safety.
