RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A group of more than 150 mental health professionals have signed a letter seeking the repeal of a North Carolina law that limits protections for the LGBT community.

A news release Sunday by Equality North Carolina says the group of social workers, counselors, psychiatrists and psychologists from North Carolina signed a letter to Gov. Pat McCrory.

The letter says that research shows that LGBT students who experience harassment, bullying or discrimination have lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression. Transgender people also have higher rates of attempting suicide than the general population.

The North Carolina General Assembly returns today for its legislative session.

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