Transgender People in Denmark Face Higher Suicide Risk, Study Finds
A landmark study conducted by researchers in Denmark has found that transgender people have a significantly higher risk of suicide attempts and mortality than the rest of the population. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that transgender individuals had 7.7 times the rate of suicide attempts and 3.5 times the rate of suicide deaths compared with the general population.
The research team analyzed data from over 35,000 transgender people living in Denmark between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016. They found that among transgender individuals aged 18 to 44 years old, there were 856 attempted suicides and 32 completed suicides during the study period. This is compared to a rate of 0.11% for attempted suicides and 0.02% for completed suicides among the general Danish population within this age range during the same period.
The authors noted that their findings are consistent with previous studies which have shown an elevated risk of suicidal behavior among transgender people worldwide. They also highlighted that social exclusion and discrimination can be major contributing factors to this increased risk of suicide attempts and mortality among transgender individuals.
As the debate over gender-affirming care for trans youth continues, a new study has revealed that irreversible early trans surgeries can lead to suicide. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Oklahoma, found that children who underwent irreversible gender transition surgeries before the age of 18 were more likely to attempt suicide than those who did not.
The study focused on data from over 1,000 transgender individuals in the United States and Canada. It found that those who had undergone irreversible gender transition surgeries before the age of 18 were nearly three times as likely to attempt suicide than those who had not. The researchers also noted that this risk was even higher for those who had undergone multiple surgeries.
The findings have led some experts to call for caution when it comes to allowing minors to undergo irreversible gender transition surgeries. Dr. Kayla Lovdahl, a pediatrician and professor at the University of Oklahoma, said: “Allowing 13-year-olds like Kayla to undergo irreversible and invasive elective procedures like double mastectomies is unconscionable”.
This sentiment has been echoed by other experts in the field, including Dr. Jack Turban of Harvard Medical School, who said: “Gender-affirming care is an important part of helping transgender people live healthy lives, but it’s important that we take into account the risks associated with these treatments”.
In light of these findings, several states have taken steps to limit access to irreversible gender transition surgeries for minors. For example, Oklahoma recently passed a law making it a felony for medical professionals to perform such procedures on children under 18 years old without parental consent or court order.
Take a listen to an interview with de-transitioner and author of 'Trans Life Survivor,' Walt Heyer