Newanalysis of responses to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS)shows that transgender respondents who experienced rejection by family andfriends, discrimination, victimization, or violence have a higher risk ofattempting suicide. 78 percent of survey respondents who suffered physical orsexual violence at school reported suicide attempts, as did 65 percent ofrespondents who experienced violence at work. The analysis is part of a newstudy conducted by Ann P. Haas and Philip L. Rodgers of the American Foundationfor Suicide Prevention and Jody L. Herman of UCLA Law School’s WilliamsInstitute.

"This study outlines the potential links between minoritystressors and suicidal behavior among transgender and gender non-conformingindividuals," said Herman. "More research is needed, but this is a criticalfirst step in efforts to address the negative mental health impacts ofanti-transgender discrimination."

The study suggests that several minority stressors –negative experiences related to anti-transgender bias – may contribute toelevated prevalence of suicide attempts among transgender people, such asexperiences of harassment, family rejection, housing instability, anddiscrimination in health care. Over half of those who experienced harassment orbullying in schools reported lifetime suicide attempts, as did 57 percent ofthose who reported that their family chose not to speak/spend time withthem.  High prevalence of suicide attempts was also found among those whohad ever experienced homelessness (69%) and those who reported a doctor orhealthcare provider refused to treat them (60%).

"We know from studies of other vulnerable populations thatenvironmental stressors can have a profound impact on individuals’ mentalhealth and well-being, and in turn, on suicidal behavior," said Haas. "Ourfindings suggest the need for a closer look at how anti-transgender bias,depression and despair interact to produce the alarmingly high suicide attemptrates among transgender people."

Otherkey findings include:

• Suicide attempts among trans men (46%) and trans women (42%) were slightly higher than the full sample (41%). Cross-dressers assigned male at birth have the lowest reported prevalence of suicide attempts among gender identity groups (21%).
• Prevalence of suicide attempts is elevated among those who disclose to everyone that they are transgender or gender-non-conforming (50%) and among those that report others can tell always (42%) or most of the time (45%) that they are transgender or gender non-conforming even if they don’t tell them.
• Respondents who are HIV-positive (51%) and respondents with disabilities (55-65%) also have elevated prevalence of suicide attempts. In particular, 65 percent of those with a mental health condition that substantially affects a major life activity reported attempting suicide.
• Respondents who experienced discrimination or violence by law enforcement had elevated prevalence of suicide attempts:
• Disrespected or harassed by law enforcement officers: 57-61 percent.
• Suffered physical or sexual violence by law enforcement officers: 60-70 percent.

The study utilized data collected through the NationalTransgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS), which was conducted by the NationalCenter for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.6,456 transgender and gender non-conforming people in the United Statesreported on their experiences of discrimination and abuse at work, at home, inschool, and in the public sphere, amassing the largest transgender surveysample to date.

Thefull study is available at: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/AFSP-Williams-Suicide-Report-Final.pdf