Around half of trans youths have self harmed or considered suicide, and around a quarter have attempted it

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-12-23 03:00

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***This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline (NZ) on 0800 543 354. ***

Canadian researchers brought together and re-analysed the data from 137 previous studies looking at rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-harm in transgender and gender diverse youth, and say around half have considered suicide or self-harmed, while around a quarter have tried to take their own lives. That suggests trans and gender diverse young people are around twice as likely to consider suicide or to self-harm, and 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide, as cisgender young people. The findings suggest prevention and intervention efforts must be improved to address mental health concerns among trans and gender diverse young people, the authors conclude.