LGBTQ+ Youths’ Community Engagement and Resource Seeking Online versus Offline

“I'm Kinda Stuck at Home With Unsupportive Parents Right Now”: LGBTQ Youths' Experiences With COVID-19 and the Importance of Online Support

“…Physical distancing may simultaneously result in confinement to unsupportive home environments and isolation from developmentally important social connections and identity-based resources; circumstances are associated with compromised mental health (e.g., depression, suicidality) and likelihood to engage in health risk behaviors (e.g., substance use, self-harm) [3,4]. Yet, LGBTQ youth may be more likely than their non-LGBTQ peers to seek resources and community online [5,6]. Thus, we examined youth's experiences during mandatory physical distancing via a national online program for LGBTQ youth.…”

Sexual and Gender Minority Stress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for LGBTQ Young Persons’ Mental Health and Well-Being

“…However, these resources are likely overwhelmed as a result of COVID-19, 3 and few comparable community LGBTQ-relevant digital resources are available for LGBTQ young persons. 48 The reach of other mental health, and social and crisis support chat and text resources, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat, Crisis Text Line, and QuarantineChat, can be strengthened if public health stakeholders provide support for organizations to increase their visibility toward and allyship with LGBTQ young persons, as well as their competency in serving these populations. Public health stakeholders can further support mental health organizations and therapists who serve LGBTQ young persons by providing them with more resources if they continue to face challenges in migrating their services successfully to online modes.…”

Sexuality during the COVID-19 pandemic: The importance of Internet

“…Such circumstances are associated with mental health disorders (e.g., depression and suicide) and a high likelihood of engaging in health risk behaviors (e.g., use of drugs and self-harm) ( Russell and Fish, 2016 ). Yet, LGBTQ youth may be more likely than their non-LGBTQ peers to search for resources and online communities ( McInroy et al, 2019 ). A study on adolescents belonging to sexual minorities found an increased rate of virtual sex in 10% of the sample and the use of pornography in 5% ( Nelson et al, 2020 ).…”