A study in the United Kingdom has found that nearly half of young transgender individuals have attempted suicide at some point in their lives. The results of the survey revealed that 48 percent of trans persons under the age of 26 said that they had attempted killing themselves, 30 percent of whom admitted doing so in the last year. Meanwhile, 59 percent of these individuals revealed that they have at least considered suicide as an option.
Pace, a mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, conducted the research in partnership with the University of Worcester, Brunei University, and London South Bank University. A survey and interviews were involved, with over 2,000 participants in England from 2010 to 2014.
The figures reflecting suicide attempts in this study were found to be higher than those from past studies across all age groups. For instance, a 2006 study in the United States discovered that 32 percent of trans persons had attempted suicide. Meanwhile, the Trans Mental Health Study of 2012 found that 35 percent tried killing themselves once, and 25 percent, twice.
Pace also revealed that 59 percent of transgender youth admitted deliberately hurting themselves. These findings were released in The Guardian, in line with the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day that remembers transphobic murders.
According to Pace chief executive Margaret Unwin, "The lack of visibility and acceptance in society contributes to these shocking figures about suicide attempts and self-harm in trans young people. While society's attitudes towards transgender people are changing, it is still not fast enough and the negative impacts on trans people's mental health every day are huge."
Meanwhile, Gendered Intelligence co-founder Jay Stewart shares that the findings of the Pace study are not surprising. Gendered Intelligence, a group that offers support to young trans individuals and advocates the understanding and education about trans issues, has been working with young trans people since 2006. According to Stewart, the demand for their services is growing. Bullying in schools has become widespread, with schools simply ignoring these important issues.
