Canadian Study Finds 9 in 10 Trans Youth Are Depressed

The Trans Health Research Group at Memorial University of Newfoundland did a recent study with 45 trans youth about their experiences and mental health and found that nine in ten transgender persons suffer with depression or anxiety.

The study involved sending out a questionnaire to trans youth and their parents in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The results were anonymous, which makes the researchers believe that the results are more honest and helpful for the future.

Of the 45 youth, 13% said that they felt their parents fully supported them and their identity.

“The objectives of the study were to look at health care and support needs, main concerns and hopes of transgendered children and youth and their parents here in our province,” said Dr. Tracey Bridger, one of the people involved in the research group.

The results showed that many parents feared their children would face prejudice and discrimination because of their gender identity.

“There is a lot of transphobia in our society, and [parents] felt a lot of concern for the safety of their children,” Bridger said.