Suicide is an epidemic among transgender youth — and it’s preventable.
Suicide can impact anyone, but transgender teens are at particular risk. Studies have shown that between 30 and 50 percent of transgender youth have seriously considered suicide, and one quarter have attempted to end their lives.
But not all transgender teens face equal risk. Unsurprisingly, teens with supportive parents are far less likely to try to end their lives. A recent Toronto study found that, among transgender teens whose parents were very supportive, 4% had attempted suicide?—?compared to 57% of teens whose parents were somewhat to not at all supportive
Someday, I hope, we will have a society that accepts people of all gender identities, and it will be uncommon for parents to reject transgender teens. But the patients I see often can’t wait until “someday”?—?they are suffering now.
I’m a psychologist at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center who works with transgender teens. In that capacity, I help my patients’ families understand and work to accept their children for who they are. If parents are amenable, we offer family therapy and counselling. We can also direct parents towards support groups and other resources to help them better support their children. When this is not an option, I help young people find support from peers or other adults in their lives.
This is a collective responsibility?—?as therapists, health care providers, teachers, coaches, and relatives, we all should know how to be there for teens, and how to help them build relationships with their families. We should understand the risks that transgender teens face and the importance of promoting acceptance within families and within our own communities. We need better training for people who work with youth, and we need to educate ourselves. What resources are available in your area? Where can families with transgender teens find accepting, competent counsellors? Are you capable of directing parents to web resources or support groups?
Suicide prevention doesn’t just happen in times of crisis?—?by supporting vulnerable young people through discrimination and rejection, we can keep them healthy, safe and alive.
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The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is located in New York City. It provides comprehensive, confidential, judgment free health care at no charge to over 10,000 young people every year. Matt Oransky, PhD provides individual, family, and mental health services for adolescents enrolled in transgender health services at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.