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Transgender teens more likely to have depression, attempt suicide

Transgender youth had a two to threefold increased risk for depression, anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harm without lethal intent, and both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment, according to data published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

“The present study fills a key gap in the existing mental health research literature on transgender adolescents and emerging adults,” Sari L. Reisner, ScD, MA, of the Fenway Institute at Fenway Health in Boston, Mass., and colleagues wrote.

Sari L. Reisner

The retrospective cohort study included data from electronic health records from 180 transgender youth (106 female-to-male; 74 male-to-female), with a mean age of 19.6 years, between 2002 and 2011 at the Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center.

Data indicate that transgender youth had a twofold to threefold increased risk of depression (50.6%), anxiety (26.7%), suicidal ideation (31.1%), suicide attempt (17.2%), self-harm without lethal intent (16.7%), and both inpatient (22.8%) and outpatient (45.6%) mental health treatment (all P<.05), compared with cisgender matched controls.

“Training programs and continuing education programs for primary care providers and mental health providers should include gender identity education,” the researchers wrote. “Providers should familiarize themselves with community resources for transgender youth.” – by Samantha Costa

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.