Mental health of transgender and nonbinary children and youth: Informing service needs
August 7, 2024
Photo credit: BigStock
About
Many transgender and nonbinary children and youth face added challenges compared with their cisgender counterparts, including more frequent adverse experiences, peer victimization and harassment. Knowing the prevalence of mental health concerns for transgender and nonbinary young people is therefore crucial. To provide the most accurate estimate, we conducted a systematic review of studies on the prevalence of mental disorders in transgender and nonbinary young people.
Our report identified the overall prevalence of mental disorders in transgender and nonbinary youth, which is 56.6%. This makes it between 5.9 and 13 times higher than their cisgender counterparts. It also identified significant rates of self harm or suicidal ideation among transgender and nonbinary youth and highlighted a need for accessible and effective mental health treatments. Finally, the report underscored the importance of addressing unacceptable adverse experiences faced by transgender and nonbinary young people.
Read the full report to learn more.
Co-Principal Investigators
- Nicole L.A. Catherine
- Kim Thomson
- Charlotte Waddell
Funders
- BC Ministry of Health
Publications
- Schwartz C, Barican J, White O, Tang J, Catherine N, Thomson K, & Waddell C. (2024). Mental Health of Transgender and Nonbinary Children and Youth: Informing Service Needs. Vancouver, BC: Children’s Health Policy Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University.