As healthcare access for trans youth comes under fire and politicians push the issue to the forefront, a study has shown that trans youth are more likely to be admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt or self- harm.
According to research, trans youth are more likely to be admitted to the hospital for self harm.
The researchers used national databases to look at over 2 million instances of young people being hospitalized for any reason, and found that many of them were with diagnoses of gender Dysphoria.
The researchers found that youth with gender dysphoria were four to five times more likely to be admitted to the hospital for suicide attempts or self-injury.
The rate of suicidality among hospitalized youth with gender dysphoria was more than double that of the general population.
The prevalence of self- harm among youth with gender dysphoria was higher than in the previous two years.
The study shows that suicide attempts and self- harm are more common among young people who are not white.
According to Yehya, healthcare providers should work to reduce discrimination in order to protect this vulnerable group.
The researchers said their methods made it difficult to identify trans and non-binary youth. They note that using a diagnosis of gender dysphoria to identify trans and nonbinary youth is not perfect. The proportion of young people with gender dysphoria has risen in recent years, though it is low and different across the population. Black, Hispanic, Latinx and other minority groups were less likely to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria than were those who used rural hospitals. The researchers said their findings are in line with existing research on suicidal thoughts and highlight the impact of regional and state-level culture and policy on health.
At a time when gender-affirming care for American youth is under attack, a study using a national database to examine the issue is the first of its kind. The issue of access to gender-affirming care for youth has become a political flash point in many states. There is strong evidence that shows higher rates of mental health problems for trans and non-binary youth. Major medical societies do not agree with efforts to ban affirming care. The use of puberty- blocking drugs is controversial because of the lack of evidence on long-term consequences. Interventions have many documented benefits for trans and non-binary individuals.
The increasing number of youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria doesn't necessarily mean they experience more gender dysphoria, according to the researchers. The increase is more likely to be a sign of societal acceptance of a diverse array of gender identities and increased access to gender-affirming medical and mental health services.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. There are ways you can help someone who is at risk for self-injury.
Is there a cost for pausing puberty? The New York Times.
What the science on gender-Affirming care for trans kids really shows.
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