04/28/2023
Gender-affirming healthcare is su***de prevention...
Several scientific studies found that transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) children face chronic stressors that lead to adverse social and psychological outcomes, including suicidal ideation and attempts (Blashill et al., 2020; Cha et al., 2018; Mereish et al., 2021; MacMullin et al., 2020; Olezeski and Kamody, 2020). LGBTQ+ children report mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, and TGE children diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD) experience clinically significant distress and suicidality over incongruent assigned s*x at birth and their experience of culturally defined gender identity (Blashill et al., 2020; MacMullin et al., 2020). Consequently, these children are more likely to have poor peer relations and high co-occurring mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, problematic eating, self-harm, and su***de completion.
A study by MacMullin et al. (2020) on emotional and behavioral challenges of transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) children aged 5 to 11 found that they experienced low levels of psychological well-being, poor social adjustment, and high levels of internalizing/externalizing symptoms. Compared to heteros*xual and cisgender peers, LGBTQ+ and TGE children have an earlier onset and higher prevalence of suicidal ideation, behavior, and increased likelihood of future su***de completion. This heightened risk is likely due to minority stressors such as stigma, discrimination, exclusion, bullying, and victimization (Blashill et al., 2020; Cha et al., 2018; MacMullin et al., 2020; Mereish et al., 2021).
