Concerns for LGBTQIA+ youth

A nationwide survey of LGBTQIA+ youth has highlighted some ‘‘major concerns’’ for their wellbeing. Led by Dr John Fenaughty, a senior lecturer in social work from the University of Auckland, the identity survey was the first national survey of rainbow youth in Aotearoa. The survey found coordinated action across key areas of the lives of young queer people was needed to ensure they were safe and able to thrive. Responses for the survey were collected from 4784 young people between 14 and 26 who identified as being queer. Despite many positive findings, Fenaughty said several negative results created the ‘‘perfect storm’’ to highlight concerns for young queer people’s wellbeing. One in six participants said they didn’t feel safe at school or at their universities, while one in eight said they’d moved towns or cities to feel safer. Almost two-thirds said they’d thought about killing themselves in the last year and the majority had reported self-harming in the last year also.