Risk factors for suicide in the transgender community

Abstract

Introduction

Approximately 41% of transgender people attempt suicide at least once in their lives compared to the rate of 5% in the general population Transgender patients who have attempted suicide once have a nearly 40% chance for making a third attempt in their lifetime. Addressing the high rate of suicidality among transgender people must be an important clinical concern during treatment. Screening for suicidal ideation is important when working with the transgender community. Knowing the risk factors that affect the transgender community and creating interventions to ameliorate these risk factors can decrease the negative outcomes.

Method

A literature review of articles pertaining to the transgender community and suicide was performed. Of 20 articles reviewed, 14 were pertinent.

Results

The literature review showed several unique risk factors contribute to the high rate of suicide in this population: lack of family and social supports, gender-based discrimination, transgender-based abuse and violence, gender dysphoria and body-related shame, difficulty while undergoing gender reassignment, and being a member of another or multiple minority groups.

Discussion

Aiding the transgender patient to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with negative societal pressures and skills in widening their social supports may help to reduce risk factors and increase well-being for transgender patients. Assessing suicidal ideation in transgender patients, connecting them with contacts in the transgender community and utilizing CBT based techniques to reduce dysphoria and to aid in coping may reduce risk of suicide attempts. More research is needed in specific interventions in the transgender community.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.