More than 50% of trans and nonbinary youth in the United States have considered suicide this year, according to a survey.usa news

More than 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth in states across the United States have seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to new survey data on the worsening LGTBQ+ youth mental health crisis.

The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization working to prevent suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, announced Thursday that release state level data Nearly 34,000 queer and trans youth ages 13 to 24 show alarmingly high rates of suicide attempts, depression, and anxiety in liberal and conservative neighborhoods.

States whose legislators have aggressively pursued anti-trans laws. texas When ArkansasSome progressive states, such as New York, California, and Oregon, have very high levels of suicide risk, even though suicide rates are about the same.

The data release comes as vigilante violence targeting LGBTQ+ events and spaces drums across the country at a time of increasing government restrictions on the rights of queer and transgender people in conservative states. .is more than 150 Bills to Limit the Lives of Transgender People According to the Washington Post, the state legislatures in 2022 will have the highest number in U.S. history. Many of these bills target transgender youth and include restrictions on access to gender-affirming health care, participation in sports, and use of bathrooms that match their gender identity.

In California, the most populous state, recently passed it A law to protect transgender youth, a survey found that 44% of LGBTQ+ youth had suicidal thoughts and 14% had attempted suicide. For transgender and nonbinary respondents, the findings were even worse, with 54% having suicidal thoughts and 19% attempting suicide. Also, 70% of LGBTQ+ youth in her state said they had experienced discrimination, and 62% said they were unable to access mental health care.

The percentage of transgender and nonbinary youth who seriously considered suicide was similar in the second largest state, at 56% in Texas. 54% in Florida. 50% in New York. 54% in Pennsylvania. 51% in Illinois. 54% in Ohio; 55% in Georgia; 53% in North Carolina; 52% in Michigan. Also, across these states, her 16-20% of trans and nonbinary youth report suicide attempts. The majority also said they wanted treatment but could not get it.

Bamby Salcedo, president of the TransLatin@ Coalition, said, “California is considered a gold state for all, but trans, non-conforming, and intersex people still have access to basic services. We have access issues, so the results aren’t surprising.”of Los Angeles“There are not enough mental health providers who understand who we are as human beings and who are sensitive and unbiased. and it all impacts your mental health.”

Reports also often Statewide, between 5% and 10% of young people say they have undergone conversion therapy, a widely discredited practice associated with serious psychological harm, and between 10% and 15% say they are threatened with conversion therapy. It states that

“One of the most striking findings from this data is that a significant number of LGBTQ youth in all states do not have access to the mental health care they desire,” said Trevor Project research and scientific director. , Dr. Myesia Price said in an email. “This … presents a systemic barrier to access to mental health care.”

Susan Williams, Founder of The Transformation Project south dakota“The lack of adult affirmation in the lives of these individuals is one of the reasons these mental health statistics are off the charts in South Dakota.” One,” she said.

Her 16-year-old transgender son has deleted all social media apps from his phone and is trying to avoid the news entirely during the state legislative period. state. “I can’t handle this attack on who I am,” he says.

Williams said he hopes legislators will look at the data and recognize that anti-trans “political movements” are directly hurting people. To have fun with friends and get the medical care you need to survive. ”

Advocates have long hoped that young people’s suffering will decrease over time as society and policies change, but research repeatedly shows that’s not happening. Part of the reason, he said, may be due to more young people coming out.

She said the data should serve as a reminder that passing laws to protect queer and transgender youth is just the beginning. who obeys the law? Who is adding support systems to help LGBTQ+ youth?”

Lawmakers need to understand that these issues are not isolated geographically, said Armonte Butler, associate director of LGBTQ+ health and rights at Advocates for Youth. “‘This is not a problem here. There are no LGBTQ+ youth here. teeth Show up in your community and your state. It’s across the board. ”

In addition to anti-trans laws, Republican officials in Texas recently launched a child abuse investigation against parents of transgender children receiving gender-affirming medical care, and in Florida, Republican Gov. Passed a bill that said, “Don’t call me gay.”law Banned discussion of gender and gender identity In elementary school, all other school discussions were “suitable for age‘, said a Florida teacher, had a chilling effect References to LGBTQ+ issues.

Members of violent far-right groups, including the Proud Boys, have held pride events and Drag Queen Story Time for kids all over the countryIn November, five people were killed and 25 injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs.

Lois Beckett contributed to the report