A comparative analysis of non-binary youths’ school experience and mental health in four European countries

While recent legislative advancements have improved rights for trans* individuals in Europe, the specific school experiences of non-binary youths remain under-researched. This paper addresses this gap by analysing data from the FRA 2024 LGBTIQ Survey (N= 981) to investigate the impact of school climate on the mental health (feeling depressed, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts) and educational inclusion of non-binary youths aged 15-18 in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. By comparing diverse governance models and their implementation in school settings, the study reveals significant cross-national disparities: France, characterised by centralised protective policies, exhibits the lowest risk of dropout and identity concealment, whereas Italy, relying on discretionary measures, presents a significantly higher probability of considering dropping out or changing schools. Germany, marked by fragmented federal policies, generally occupies a mixed middle ground. In contrast, Spain, despite recent legislative progress, shows polarised outcomes. Crucially, logistic regression models identify that active hostility at school is the most consistent predictor across all three mental health outcomes, while problems in gendered spaces are significantly associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts and that interpersonal support and allyship alone are insufficient to prevent the most severe outcomes. The most alarming finding is the link between educational exclusion and distress, as students who consider leaving school are over four times more likely to have attempted suicide (OR 4.27). These findings suggest a phenomenon of school pushout driven by structural cisnormativity, highlighting the urgent need for gender-neutral facilities and spaces, and mandatory teacher and staff training.