Transgender Teen Depression

Transgender Youth & Mental Health

Trans and nonbinary youth are more at risk for mental illness than their non-transgender peers, according to a study by the Journal of Adolescent Health. In other words, those who identify as transgender struggle more with adverse mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and attempts.

Dr. Reisner, the lead researcher from the study, examined data on 180 transgender patients aged 12-29 years. He compared them to non-transgender patients who were seen at Boston’s Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center. Compared to non-transgender peers, transgender youth have an elevated risk of developing depression (50.6% vs. 20.6%); suffer from anxiety (26.7% vs. 10%); have attempted suicide (17.2% vs. 6.1%); and have engaged in self-harming activities without lethal intent (16.7% vs. 4.4%).

The study’s findings support what teen mental health professionals have long asserted:

Transgender teens are at risk for serious mental health issues.

Why transgender teens need competent mental health care

The study shows the deep need for gender-affirming care and gender-affirming mental health services. Gender-affirming medical interventions, such as puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones, play a crucial role in improving mental health outcomes for transgender and nonbinary youths. There needs to be more interventions to support transgender youth, Reisner wrote. The study, coupled with recent headlines, has pushed the issues of transgender mental health care to the forefront. If your child is transgender, it is critical they have the right support system in place as they make the transition. This includes support and understanding from family and friends. They also need the proper mental health support to deal with any issues that may arise during the transition.

Importance of supporting your teen

The most important thing parents can do to help their transgender teen is to listen, love, and support them. Understanding and supporting various forms of gender expression is crucial in helping transgender teens feel accepted and validated. They should stay aware of any struggles they have when seeking acceptance from their peers. Being a teenager can be hard enough as it is. Being transgender can magnify normal teenage issues. This includes feeling isolated, misunderstood, or out of place. Many transgender teens struggle with depression and anxiety. They can be a target of cruel comments and bullying by uneducated peers. Staying on top of issues is critical for parents of transgender children and teens.

How to help a transgender teen in the transitioning process

Transitioning genders can be a long journey. It involves a lot of work for both the child and parents. This includes social transitioning (changing name, pronoun, style of dress, etc.) as well as medical transitioning (puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormone therapy, surgery, etc.). Gender-affirming hormones have a significant clinical impact on the mental health of transgender individuals, improving psychological functioning and reducing negative outcomes such as depression and anxiety. Transgender teens need friends and family to support them through the transitioning process. Many benefit from the help of professionals with experience treating transgender individuals. A comprehensive support plan for a transgender child should include:

Medical support from experts who have experience with transgender youth.
Mental health support from experts who have experience with transgender youth.
Social support groups or group therapy are great for both parents and teens. They allow teens and parents to feel less alone and share feelings and information.
Family support from parents, siblings, extended family and friends.
Support from school officials to ensure your child’s safety.

Transgender adolescent mental health treatment and transgender teen therapy in Los Angeles

Transgender people identify as the opposite gender they were assigned at birth. Assessing baseline mental health is crucial to understanding the initial psychosocial and physiological status of transgender adolescents before they receive gender-affirming treatments. If you have a transgender teen or pre-teen who suffers from gender dysphoria, seek treatment from Polaris Teen Center. Our experts have lots of experience working with teen transgenders. We know how to help a transgender teen with depression navigate the often difficult transition process, as well as assist with any mental health issues.

transgender & LGBTQ teens - mental health statistics

Statistics show that mental health issues are prevalent among transgender and gender-nonconforming young people, as well as the broader LGBTQ+ teen community.

40-68%

40-68% of transgender individuals think about committing suicide at some point in their life.

1%

In the U.S., nearly 1% of youth (150,000) between 13 and 17 years old are transgender.

25%

25% of LGBTQ individuals abuse substances, such as alcohol or drugs, compared to 5-10% of the general population.

42%

42% of teens who identify as transgender have attempted suicide at least once.

6X

Compared to the general population, LGBTQ youth, including transgender teens, are six times more likely to struggle with major depression.

7%

About 7% of people in the U.S. struggle with depression, and 18% suffer from anxiety. Nearly ½ of individuals who identify as transgender struggle with depression or anxiety.

The Right Help For Transgender Teens

If you are seeking help for your child who is questioning their gender identity, please contact the admissions staff at our residential teen treatment center. Transgender and nonbinary youths are disproportionately affected by poor mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Addressing these mental health disparities is crucial for their well-being.

Polaris provides comprehensive care to teens suffering from a variety of mental health and secondary substance abuse disorders.

To learn more about our youth programs or to schedule a tour, visit our website or confidentially contact our admission staff below.

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We specialize in helping transgender and LGBTQ teens live happy, full lives. Call today to learn more.

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