Suicidal ideation among transgender and gender expansive youth: Mechanisms of risk

Purpose: Suicide is a leading public health concern among transgender and gender expansive adolescents, although little research has examined mechanisms through which gender identity is associated with suicidal ideation. This study examined the indirect effects of peer victimization, dating violence, substance use (SU), SU problems, and depressive symptoms in the relationship between gender identity and suicidal […]

Understanding factors associated with suicidality among transgender and gender-diverse identified youth

Purpose: Individuals who identify as transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) experience heightened rates of mental health challenges compared with cisgender people (including both heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals). Furthermore, adolescence has been identified as a critical period for intervention as the majority of suicide attempts occur during this time period. However, no study to date […]

A grounded theory of sexual and gender minority suicide risk: The sexual and gender minority suicide risk and protection model

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) compared to cisgender and heterosexual individuals. Increased risk for STBs can be conceptualized via (a) suicide risk models (e.g., ideation-to-action frameworks) and (b) SGM health literature (e.g., minority stress frameworks); yet, integration of these literatures in conceptualizing SGM suicide risk […]

Gender-based violence and suicide among gender-diverse populations in the United States

Objectives: Transgender populations report higher suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts than the general population. This study sought to identify predictors of suicide in individuals with diverse gender identities, including transgender women; transgender men; and gender-nonbinary, genderqueer, and crossdressing individuals within various racial/ethnic groups. Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted using the United States Transgender Survey (N = 27,204). […]

Healthcare access experiences and needs among LBQ women, trans, and nonbinary people in Canada: A research report

What priorities for health and healthcare access do women, trans, and nonbinary people who are lesbian, bi+, or queer (LBQ) in Canada have? What actions can be taken across sectors to address these priorities? Egale’s research report “Healthcare access experiences and needs among LBQ women, trans, and nonbinary people in Canada: A research report” explores these questions, […]

The role of sleep duration in suicide risk among sexual and gender minority adolescents

Background Short sleep duration is linked with suicide risk in adolescence. Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents experience substantially increased risk for suicide compared to their non-SGM peers. Methods We investigated the role of sleep duration in SGM adolescent suicide risk using population-based, cross-sectional data from the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS; N = 85,610, Mage = 14.8). Adolescents reported average […]

Suicidality and protective factors among sexual and gender minority youth and adults in Canada: A cross‑sectional, population‑based study

Background Sexual and gender minority populations experience elevated risks for suicidality. This study aimed to assess prevalence and disparities in non-fatal suicidality and potential protective factors related to social support and health care access among sexual and gender minority youth and adults and their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts in Canada. The second objective was to […]

Risk for suicidal behavior after psychiatric hospitalization among sexual and gender minority patients

Abstract Importance  The months following inpatient psychiatric hospitalization are a period of high risk for suicidal behavior. Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals have elevated risk for suicidal behavior, but no prior research has examined whether SGM inpatients have disproportionate risk for suicidal behavior following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization. Objectives  To evaluate whether SGM patients have elevated […]

Ecological momentary assessment and machine learning for predicting suicidal ideation among sexual and gender minority individuals

Importance  Suicidality poses a serious global health concern, particularly in the sexual and gender minority population. While various studies have focused on investigating chronic stressors, the precise prediction effect of daily experiences on suicide ideation remains uncertain. Objective  To test the extent to which mood fluctuations and contextual stressful events experienced by sexual and gender minority individuals […]

Suicide prevention intervention for vulnerable emerging adult sexual minorities: A pilot hybrid effectiveness randomized control trial

Background Suicide attempts and suicide death disproportionately affect sexual and gender minority emerging adults (age 18-24 years). However, suicide prevention strategies tailored for emerging adult sexual and gender minority (EA-SGM) groups are not widely available. The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) has strong evidence for reducing the risk for suicide in the general population, but it […]

Undoing suicidism: A trans, queer, crip approach to rethinking (assisted) suicide

In Undoing Suicidism, Alexandre Baril argues that suicidal people are oppressed by what he calls structural suicidism, a hidden oppression that, until now, has been unnamed and under-theorized. Each year, suicidism and its preventionist script and strategies reproduce violence and cause additional harm and death among suicidal people through forms of criminalization, incarceration, discrimination, stigmatization, and pathologization. […]

Trans and gender diverse mental health, wellness and suicide prevention toolkit

Background and Purpose SPECTRUM, Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space, developed this toolkit on trans mental wellness and suicide prevention in response to trans community needs and priorities. Given that many trans and gender  diverse people struggle with suicide, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, this toolkit was created to 1) Help trans and gender diverse people […]

Social support and mental health among transgender and nonbinary youth in Quebec

Purpose: Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youth face elevated levels of discrimination, stigma, mental health disorders, and suicidality when compared with their cisgender counterparts. Family and school support may mitigate some of the effects of the stressors facing TNB youth. This study aimed to better understand the impact of each of these sources of support on TNB […]

Research brief: Mental health of black transgender and nonbinary young people

Despite overall rates of suicidality among young people trending downward for the past 30 years, Black young people have experienced an increase in suicide attempts (Lindsey et al., 2019􀉣, with suicide rates among Black young people increasing 37% between 2018 and 2021 (Stone & Mack, 2023).

Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with recent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among trans and gender diverse people in Australia

Introduction Correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among a large cross-section of trans and gender diverse populations in Australia were examined. Methods A national survey was conducted that included 1466 trans and gender diverse participants aged 18+ years. Multivariable regressions identified factors associated with recent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Results Overall, 62.4% reported […]

“I don’t feel at home in this world” Sexual and gender minority emerging adults’ self-perceived links between their suicidal thoughts and sexual orientation or gender identity

Objectives: To examine whether sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults perceived their SGM status was linked to suicidal ideation, and to explore if their responses fell within tenets of the minority stress framework. Method: Open text (survey) responses of Dutch and Flemish SGM emerging adults (n = 187) were thematically analysed using the constant comparative comparison method […]

Suicide-related outcomes following gender-affirming treatment: A review

Gender-affirming treatment remains a topic of controversy; of particular concern is whether gender-affirming treatment reduces suicidality. A narrative review was undertaken evaluating suicide-related outcomes following gender- affirming surgery, hormones, and/or puberty blockers. Of the 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria, the majority indicated a reduction in suicidality following gender-affirming treatment; however, the literature to […]

Analysis of psychiatric symptoms and suicide risk among younger adults in China by gender identity and sexual orientation

Importance  Younger adults in China who are transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) experience high levels of minority stress (eg, stigma and bullying) and adverse mental health symptoms. However, there is a lack of research documenting mental health disparities compared with their cisgender and heterosexual peers. Studies that disaggregate TGNC and […]

A multicomponent digital intervention to promote help-seeking for mental health problems and suicide in sexual and gender diverse young adults: A randomized controlled trial

Background LGBTQ+ community’s higher susceptibility to worse mental health outcomes and more help-seeking barriers compared to the cis-heterosexual population. Despite the LGBTQ+ population facing higher mental health risks, there has been a dearth of research focusing on developing tailored interventions targeting them. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a digital multicomponent intervention in promoting […]

Research brief: Mental health of black transgender and nonbinary young people

Despite overall rates of suicidality among young people trending downward for the past 30 years, Black young people have experienced an increase in suicide attempts (Lindsey et al., 2019), with suicide rates among  Black young people increasing 37% between 2018 and 2021 (Stone & Mack, 2023). Due to the already existing higher rates of suicide […]

The influence of families on LGBTQ youth health: A call to action for innovation in research and intervention development

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other sexual and gender minority youth (LGBTQ) experience myriad health inequities relative to their cisgender heterosexual peers. Families have a profound impact on adolescent health, but little is known about this influence on LGBTQ youth specifically. We draw on work presented at a public symposium that aimed to […]

Suicidal ideation disparities among transgender and gender diverse compared to cisgender community health patients

Background Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experience more severe psychological distress and may be at higher risk for suicide compared to cisgender individuals. The existing literature largely consists of small-sample studies that do not assess subgroup differences. Objective To examine rates of self-reported suicidal ideation among four TGD groups compared to cisgender individuals. Design […]

Anchoring to life: A photovoice study of resiliencies among sexual and gender minority women post-suicide attempt

Lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (SGM) women are at high risk of suicide. Stigma, discrimination, and exclusion are known risk factors. Contrasting longstanding trends of risk-focused research, this study examines the experiences of SGM women who have attempted suicide focusing on their embodied strengths and resiliencies to continue living post-attempt. […]