Transgender Suicide: 2016 Stats and Where to Find Support

For the past couple of years, transgender men and women are becoming more visible in American media and popular culture.

Actress Laverne Cox appeared on Time’s cover in May 2014 and was declared one of Glamour’s Women of the Year months later.  Earlier that year, author Janet Mock published Redefining Realness, a memoir on growing up as a transgender while model Geena Rocero talked about her coming out experience on a TED talk. And then Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover happened and broke social media records in 2015.

Despite the boost in transgender visibility and acceptance, transgender suicide cases and attempts are still alarmingly high.  Let’s take a quick look at the numbers and statistics below!

Transgender Suicide Attempts by the Numbers

After 17-year-old transgender Leelah Alcorn’s suicide gained international attention in 2014, talks on the need for early transitioning and support started to surface. This was followed by another troubling news of transgender suicide last year in North Carolina where 16-year-old Ash Haffner committed suicide because he was reportedly bullied when he began to transitioned in public.

While most people will describe the teens’ suicides as merely isolated cases, recent numbers suggest otherwise.

The 2014 NTDS ( National Transgender Discrimination Survey) researchers surveyed 6,456 self-identified transgender and gender non-conforming adults (18+).

Their findings indicate that there is an exceptionally high prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts across all demographics and experiences.

The following numbers lifted from the aforementioned report paint a clearer picture of the report’s key finding on high suicide attempt rates among transgender people:

• Suicide attempts among trans men (46%) and trans women (42%) were slightly higher than the full sample (41%). Cross-dressers assigned male at birth have the lowest reported prevalence of suicide attempts among gender identity groups (21%).

• Respondents who are HIV-positive (51%) and respondents with disabilities (55-65%) also have elevated prevalence of suicide attempts. In particular, 65 percent of those with a mental health condition that substantially affects a major life activity reported attempting suicide.

• Respondents who experienced rejection by family and friends, discrimination, victimization, or violence had elevated prevalence of suicide attempts, such as those who experienced the following:

• Family chose not to speak/spend time with them: 57%
• Harassed or bullied at school (any level): 50-54%
• Experienced discrimination or harassment at work: 50-59%
• Doctor or healthcare provider refused to treat them: 60%
• Suffered physical or sexual violence at work: 64-65%
• Suffered physical or sexual violence at work (any level): 63-78%
• Disrespected or harassed by law enforcement officers: 57-61%
• Suffered physical or sexual violence by law enforcement officers: 60-70 %
• Experienced homelessness: 69%

Rising Bathroom Bills Tied to Transgender Suicide

With the ongoing debate on the transgender bathroom bill, a new study published in the Journal of Homosexuality correlated the high suicide rates of transgender teens with the alarming onslaught of bathroom restrictions across the country.

North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Dakota are leading the pack of anti-transgender bills that are currently considered in 17 states. In some of these states, transgender students are forced to facilities that are inconsistent with their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Where to Seek Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts as a transgender individual, you can get in touch with:
The Trevor Project
www.thetrevorproject.org
Trevor Lifeline: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)

Trans Lifeline
US: (877) 565-8860
Canada: (877) 330-6366
http://hotline.translifeline.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
www.afsp.org

Johnson Family Foundation
www.jffnd.org

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
www.glaad.org

If you wish to learn more about gender confirmation surgery, schedule an appointment with us today by calling 415.780.1515. We look forward to hearing your story!