Trans kids and mental health
Why does everyone talk about “supporting trans kids”? What’s the big deal?
Because it is life-saving to create safe and supportive spaces for them: at home, at school, and out in the world.
97% of queer students hear anti-LGBTQ+ comments in school and only 18% feel safe.
The suicide stats are even more distressing.
Trans and nonbinary youth have suicidal ideations at nearly 3 times the rate of the general youth population and attempt suicide at more than double the rate of all youth.
Trans and nonbinary kids are not suffering because of WHO they are; they’re not inherently more depressed or anxious. For the most part, they are suffering because of how they are treated and how society sees them.
As a result, they can have more of a strain on mental health from minority stress and outside factors, such as:
• Lack of support from parents and other family members: only 1 in 3 of trans and nonbinary youth have their identities affirmed at home.
• Verbal or physical harassment or assault
• Institutional prejudice like laws and policies or when those in power are very public about their transphobic views, which we are seeing all over the country right now.
But here’s the good news:
The Trevor Project found that that affirming the gender identity of transgender youth is strongly associated with lower rates of suicide attempts, and this includes having LGBTQ-affirming spaces - even just one! - and high levels of support from family, friends, or a special person (like a teacher, coach, or neighbor).
Researchers at UT Austin recently found that when transgender youth are allowed to use their chosen name in places such as home, school, and work, their risk of depression and suicide drops. AND that the more contexts where they were able to use their chosen name, the stronger their mental health.
But we don’t want to stop there. We don’t want trans youth merely to survive. We want them to thrive. Because joy and celebration is the goal.
If you want to learn more about affirming the mental health of transgender kids, join the online workshop series I’m co-hosting with psychologist ks Stanley, PsyD, QTAP, starting September 20, 2023. (All ticket holders will get recordings of the sessions, so don’t worry if you can’t show up live.)