Suicide Risks Significant Among Transgender Teens

Suicide risks are a key focus of health concern for many adolescents and young adults. For those with sexual identity which can be described as transgender, the risk for suicidal ideation is significantly higher than the general population with many attempting suicide or successfully achieving suicide.

For teenagers who identify their sexuality as transgender, the mental health complications are often quite complex due to peer pressures and the tendency to hide the identity for fear of retaliation. This social isolation often leads to depression, anxiety and general panic with a decrease in academic performance. For this reason, teens that experience sexual identity as transgender should be evaluated for mental health complications and suicidal thought that are associated with secondary mental health complications.

Contrary to what we may believe, many adolescents who experience emotions and thoughts associated with transgender identity, do not commit or attempt suicide due to peer influence or conflict. Instead, the tendency to act upon the anxiety and depression of transgender sexual orientation lies in the simply internal conflict the adolescent may be experiencing.

Whether you are the parent of a teenager who has identified themselves as transgendered, or you are a teen with a transgender sexual identity, it is important to understand this psychological risk. Because high school and college can be quite stressful without sexual identity conflict, when sexual identity conflict occurs, there is a greater risk for confusion and suicidal attempts. Seeking psychiatric care may be necessary to overcoming these anxious feelings.