Mental illness, suicide more common among transgender adults, study finds

Mental illness and suicidal tendencies are significantly more common among transgender and gender-fluid people than those who feel comfortable with their sex assigned at birth, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open.

Of the 9,861 people who responded to a national mental health survey in Canada, only 52 identified as something other than their biological sex.

Researchers found they were up to three times more likely than cisgender people to fit the clinical diagnosis for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and social phobia over the past year and throughout their lifetimes.

Transgender and gender-fluid people were also three times more likely to report thoughts of suicide and six times more likely to have attempted it, according to the study’s findings.

“Research has shown that transgender and gender diverse people are more likely to experience discrimination, bullying, and stigma, and to suffer from policies of exclusion,” Ian Crabtree, a co-author of the study and mental health epidemiologist at the University of Ottawa, said in an email. “This is likely to be a strong contributor to higher rates of mental disorder and suicidality.”

According to the researchers, the study is the first to compare the self-reported mental health of transgender and cisgender people.

However, they wrote that it confirms other research that has shown “significantly higher rates of mental health-related health service use among transgender people compared with the general population.”

Mr. Crabtree said the findings show the need for public policies promoting tolerance and a wider availability of sex-change treatments.

“Promoting gender-affirming care, education regarding gender diversity, and providing safe spaces for transgender and gender diverse people are likely to help reduce the burden of poor mental health that they often experience,” he added.

The study comes as transgender issues loom over the U.S. presidential election. In a recent debate, former President Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting the funding of transgender surgeries for illegal immigrants in prisons before she ran for president.

The Biden-Harris administration has also moved to redefine biological sex as gender identity in federal civil rights statutes, which the Trump camp opposes. Such changes could require K-12 schools to let transgender and nonbinary students use the pronouns, restrooms and sports facilities of their choice.

Gregory T. Angelo, president of the right-leaning New Tolerance Campaign, which tracks threats and shootings targeting people critical of transgender ideology, said the study published Wednesday underscores a “major contrast between the LGBT left and the LGBT right.”

“On the right, we want to be left alone to live in quiet dignity,” said Mr. Angelo, who is gay. “On the left, you cannot be your true, authentic self unless outside forces compel others to validate you.”

Mr. Angelo also disputed the study’s premise that surgery and public acceptance would fix the mental health problems of transgender people.

“Some of the largest LGBTQ organizations in the United States are telling transgender people they are oppressed, the world is out to get them and they will never truly be happy if they don’t get medical intervention and the validation of others,” he added. “It seems like a perfect recipe for depression.”