Transgender Kids Are the Most Vulnerable For Suicide

Transgender youth are one of the highest at risk populations for suicide. .
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Do you remember being a teenager? Do you remember how tough it was figuring out where you fit in? Who you were as a person and who you wanted to be? All while also being pumped full of hormones in a changing body? Maybe managing acne, unwanted erections, body image issues and other difficult social scenarios? .
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Now imagine all of that on top of feeling like you were born in the wrong body? That you were attracted to things that society told you were not for you, that something was just not quite right all the time. Sounds pretty overwhelming and terrifying, right? .
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Now add to that, the adults in your life who you go to for guidance, support and love tell you it’s all in your head, that it’s a phase, dismiss how you’re feeling and tell you it’ll get better without actually asking about what’s going on. Eventually, you’d stop reaching out, you’d stop talking. And this dark, lonely, scary place is where a lot of trans youth end up. .
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Adults don’t necessarily do this on purpose. We sometimes think we’re helping by saying it’ll pass. Sometimes we don’t know, but that’s not good enough. If we don’t ask the questions, provide a safe place for youth to explore and understand their gender identity - we create that dark,scary place. Support your children, keep the conversation going, inform yourselves. The picture provides a great resource for families. It’s a great place to start.