Transgender Awareness Week serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding, advocacy and support for the transgender community.
By being aware, we can collectively work towards creating a more accepting, inclusive society. This is an opportunity to focus on the mental health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and more specifically transgender individuals within that community.
Research has shown that members of the LGBTQ+ community are at a higher risk of mental health challenges than their cisgendered counterparts (Cisgender- Someone whose internal sense of gender aligns with their sex assigned at birth).
Let’s go over some data.
According to the Yale School of Public Health (2020), Transgender individuals are six times more likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder than the general population, three times more likely to be prescribed antidepressants and antianxiety medication, and more than six times as likely to attempt suicide resulting in hospitalization.
Studies show that individuals who had undergone gender-affirming surgery were significantly less likely to seek mental health treatment for depression and anxiety disorders (John Pachankis, 2020).
Studies have also shown that roughly half of transgender and nonbinary young people found their school to be gender affirming, and fewer than 40% of LGBTQ+ young people found their home to be affirming (The Trevor Project, 2023). As we know, the lack of support in affirming transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals is a huge factor in the data we’ve covered above.
According to the Trevor Project (2023) 56% of LGBTQ+ young people wanted mental health care and were unable to get it, this includes nearly 3 in 5 transgender and nonbinary people.
With barriers to care, and constantly shifting factors in society, it is more important now than it has ever been to educate ourselves on how to be affirming and accepting of transgender individuals. Affirmation is key in promoting and ensuring mental health.
When people are accepted for who they are, by their family, friends, or community, it leads to improvements in their self-esteem and a greater sense of belonging. This affirming care can look like using the individual’s correct pronouns, using their correct name, and supporting them in their transition. Having just ONE affirming and supporting individual can drastically change the mental health of someone who is transitioning or has transitioned.
Another barrier to care that the community may face is a lack of culturally competent service providers.
Fears of discrimination from their service providers can keep someone from seeking care, and this can lead to the issue getting worse. Just think, if you had a broken arm, and you didn’t seek care for it, how might it worsen? Mental Health is no different. By educating ourselves as service providers, and as people in the community, we can ensure that we are culturally competent, and able to provide care and listen free of judgment or biases.
Transgender Awareness Week is also a time to reflect and celebrate the visibility of transgender individuals.
Visibility isn’t just on TV or politics; it’s about creating spaces where people can feel safe to express themselves. By celebrating diverse identities and experiences we can foster empathy and understanding within society and create even more inclusive environments.
As we reflect on the importance of mental health during Transgender Awareness Week, it’s vital to recognize that everyone has a role to play in supporting the transgender community. Whether you’re an ally, a family member, or a friend, educating yourself and advocating for acceptance can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
We must work together to dismantle the barriers that contribute to mental health challenges faced by the transgender community. By fostering inclusive environments and advocating for better access to mental health resources, we can contribute to a society where everyone, regardless of gender identity, can thrive.
Let’s use this week, and every week, not only to raise awareness but also to commit ourselves to action—commit ourselves to checking our own biases, commit ourselves to becoming safe spaces, support mental health initiatives, and celebrating the resilience of transgender individuals. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.