Transgender

Transgender individuals face unique challenges in their lives, often encountering discrimination, prejudice, and stigma. It’s a vicious cycle for a vulnerable minority. These factors contribute to a higher prevalence of mental health issues and substance abuse within the transgender community.

Mental illness and gender nonconformity remain heavily stigmatized among the general public. This means that transgender individuals have two burdens to battle. Those who identify as transgender and internalize the negative views cast on them tend to not seek out help. Many are driven to addiction and other unsafe practices, further risking their well-being.

One of the lead researchers writing in The Lancet notes that “in no other community is the link between rights and [mental] health so clearly visible as in the transgender community.”

The American Journal of Public Health surveyed 1,093 male-to-female and female-to-male transgender persons, 44.1% of whom reported clinical depression as a result of their stigma, and 33.2% who reported anxiety caused by their stigma. The researchers in the journal were confident that transgender people “clearly fit the minority stress model.”

This issue affects transgender individuals of all ages. There is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence supporting the hard truth that transgender children nationwide are facing a mental health crisis because of the harassment, rejection, bullying, and discrimination they face. Transgender youth are at a significantly increased risk of suicide when they face rejection and trauma.

For years, I struggled with addiction and didn’t know why. It wasn’t until I began my transition that I realized the root of my addiction was my dysphoria and the constant feeling of being trapped in the wrong body. —Jamie Grace Alexander, transgender activist and speaker

The cycle of prejudice, stress, and substance misuse is a vicious one. Millions of transgender people are often ignored or willfully misunderstood, causing them personal distress and suffering.

Primary mental health factors that contribute to substance abuse in the transgender community include:

Discrimination and stigma
Mental health issues
Limited access to healthcare
Social isolation
According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, transgender individuals experience higher rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality compared to the general population. The study found that 41% of respondents reported attempting suicide, a rate nearly nine times higher than the national average.

Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that transgender individuals are more likely to abuse substances, with 30% having used substances to cope with the stigma and discrimination they face.

Transgender individuals face stress not only from societal interactions but also from within their families. When family members reject someone due to their gender identity or nonconformity, it increases the chances of that person turning to substance abuse or even considering suicide.

A study by The Graduate Center of City University of New York revealed that being disowned by one’s family can lead to severe emotional and social repercussions, particularly because it affects a core aspect of the transgender person’s self-identity.

The study also reported that about 54% experienced a low amount of family rejection, about 31% experienced a moderate amount of rejection and about 14% experienced a high amount of rejection.

The American Psychological Association recaps, “dealing with discrimination results in a state of heightened vigilance and changes in behavior,” so transgender people who have been negatively treated by caregivers and healthcare providers are likely to anticipate further discrimination, “which in itself can trigger stress responses.”

By understanding the unique mental health concerns and factors contributing to substance abuse within the transgender community, we can better support transgender individuals on their path to recovery.