Trends in mental health service utilization among LGB+ college students

Abstract

Objectives

1) Compare service utilization among LGB+ and straight-identified students. 2) Assess rates of mental health concerns among LGB+ students only. Participants: Undergraduates (N = 675) reported on their sexual orientation, mental health conditions, and past service providers. Methods: Logistic regression was used for aim 1 and descriptive statistics for aim 2. Results: LGB+ students were more likely than straight-identified students to seek services for anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 2.051; p < .01) or depression (OR = 3.058; p < .001) and from a counselor/therapist/psychologist (OR = 2.937; p < .001) or their university’s counseling/health services (OR = 1.933; p < .01). Bisexual students utilized the most services. Conclusions: Colleges must ensure that programing, outreach, and overall support for the mental health needs of their LGB+ students are being met so that this vulnerable population continues to seek services.

Keywords:

• college students
• LGB+
• mental health
• service utilization
• sexual orientation

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge and thank all students who participated in the ACHA-NCHA-II.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Jessica L. Bourdon was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health grant T32MH020030 (PI: M. Neale) when conducting the initial analyses and writing of this paper. She is currently supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse T32DA015035 (mPI/Director Cunningham-Williams and Bucholz) which funded her time to revise and resubmit this manuscript