One in Four Black Transgender and Nonbinary Youth Attempted Suicide in Past Year, Survey Finds

CNN

According to a study by The Trevor Project, a quarter of Black transgender and nonbinary youth reported a suicide attempt in the previous year. That was more than twice the rate of suicide attempts reported by Black LGBQ young people who are not transgender or nonbinary. The study also found almost 80% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth had experienced discrimination and 40% had experienced physical threats or harm based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. They were also more likely than their peers to experience anxiety, depression, violence, and homelessness. The authors suggest social support can help Black transgender and nonbinary youth navigate challenges, noting that those who reported strong family social support were half as likely to attempt suicide in the past year. They also call for interventions to reduce suicide risk. “Immediate steps must be taken by educators, youth-serving adults, and mental health professionals to ensure that Black trans and nonbinary young people feel seen, supported, and protected against a world that so often brings them harm,” said Dr. Myeshia Price, Trevor’s director of research science. The study data came from Trevor’s 2021 survey of 34,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13 to 24 across the U.S.

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