Trans youth denied hormone therapy almost twice as likely to attempt suicide, survey finds
Protestors demand healthcare for trans youth (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
A major new survey from The Trevor Project released on Wednesday (6 May) has found that transgender and nonbinary young people who wanted hormone therapy but were unable to access it were nearly twice as likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year compared to those currently receiving hormones.
According to the report – which included over 10,000 responses from trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer people – 15% of trans youth denied access to hormones reported a suicide attempt, compared to 8% of those able to receive care.
The findings add to a growing body of research linking restrictions on gender-affirming care to worsening mental health outcomes for trans youth while also challenging common political narratives around transition-related healthcare access, as reported by Erin In The Morning via Substack.
Among respondents aged 13 to 17, only 10% reported currently taking hormones, while just 3% said they were using puberty blockers, showing the overwhelming majority of trans minors are not receiving medical transition care at all, despite claims that youth are being “rushed” into treatment.
The report also revealed widespread fear among LGBTQ+ young people as anti-trans legislation continues to spread across the United States. Of trans and nonbinary youth currently taking hormones, 87% said they were worried about losing access to care, while 94% said recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws and political debates had negatively affected their mental health. “These young people report they are being bullied, discriminated against, and debated about by politicians simply for being themselves,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, in a press release.
Researchers and major medical organisations continue to state that gender-affirming care is associated with improved mental health outcomes for transgender youth. Multiple large-scale studies cited in the report found significant reductions in suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety among young people able to access supportive care and affirming environments.
If you’ve been affected by this story, you can reach out to Mind on 0300 123 3393, Switchboard on 0800 0119 100 or the Samaritans on 116 123.
Readers in the US can contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
