On March 31, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Colorado law that prohibited conversion therapy for minors. As a result, licensed therapists in that state may now legally use “conversion therapy” to attempt to alter an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or related behaviors.
This ruling stands in direct tension with one of the most fundamental principles of healthcare: “Do No Harm.” Decades of research show that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but is consistently associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance misuse, post-traumatic responses, loss of community connection, strained family relationships, and deep feelings of self-blame, guilt, and shame.
With a mission to improve the long-term health and wellness of those we serve, this ruling goes against Mental Health Connecticut’s core values and commitment to evidence-based, person-centered care. As Mental Health Connecticut President & CEO Luis B. Pérez shares, “Care should be guided by evidence, prioritize doing no harm, and support the wellbeing of those we serve. We know that conversion therapy falls short of these principles and can have harmful, lasting impacts on youth.”
According to multiple studies, there is no credible evidence that conversion practices are effective, and they are consistently associated with harm. Research has shown that claims of success are undermined by flawed methodologies, with only 3.2% of individuals reporting even slight changes in sexual orientation, and leading authorities, including the the American Psychological Association’s 2009 task force, have found insufficient evidence to support these practices.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Homosexuality found that youth exposed to efforts to change their sexual orientation, whether at home, through therapists, or via religious leaders, were three times more likely to experience severe depression, suicide attempts, lower educational attainment, reduced income, and lower life satisfaction. Likewise, a 2020 JAMA Psychiatry study found significantly higher psychological distress and twice the odds of lifetime suicide attempts among adults exposed to these practices at any point in their lifetime (American Psychological Association, 2025).
These findings are reinforced by a Stanford Medicine-led study of more than 4,000 participants, which found that individuals subjected to efforts to change their sexual orientation reported higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, while those exposed to efforts targeting gender identity experienced increased depression. Individuals who experienced both forms reported elevated symptoms of PTSD and suicidality (Stanford Medicine, 2024).
Beyond individual harm, conversion therapy also carries a substantial societal cost, with an estimated 508,892 LGBTQ youth at risk annually for conversion therapy and a direct annual cost estimated at $650 million. The associated mental health and substance use consequences account for an additional $8.58 billion (The Trevor Project, 2022).
To date, numerous states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have enacted laws or regulations protecting youth from conversion therapy. Additionally, at least 70 cities and counties across states such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin have adopted similar protections.
Reinforcing these policies, national organizations representing millions of licensed medical and mental health professionals, educators, and advocates have reached a clear consensus that efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are inappropriate, ineffective, and harmful, including the American Academy of PAs, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Medical Women’s Association, American School Counselor Association, Child Welfare League of America, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Mental Health America, National Association of School Nurses, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, School Social Work Association of America, and Voice for Adoption (Human Rights Campaign Foundation, n.d.).
Mental Health Connecticut stands alongside these organizations in advancing our shared mission to support long-term health and wellness, and in honoring the dignity and humanity of every individual.
Community Resources
- The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available via live chat at 988lifeline.org.
- A therapist or mental health provider who practices affirming care can offer a safe space to navigate the impact of political and societal stressors on you and your loved ones. Find help here.
- A comprehensive list of Connecticut-based LGBTQ+ resources can be found here.
References
American Psychological Association. (2025, October 7). The evidence against conversion therapy. https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/evidence-against-conversion-therapy
Stanford Medicine. (2024, September). Conversion practices and LGBTQ health. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/09/conversion-practices-lgbt.html
The Trevor Project. (2022, March 7). New study finds conversion therapy, and its associated harms, cost the U.S. an estimated $9.23 billion annually. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/new-study-finds-conversion-therapy-and-its-associated-harms-cost-the-u-s-an-estimated-9-23-billion-annually/
Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (n.d.). The lies and dangers of efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity. https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy
