Does Transphobia Contribute to Poor Mental Health in Trans Youth?
Transphobia is many things. It is hatred fueled by discrimination, fear, and historical prejudice. It is ignorance caused by misinformation, stigmas, and lack of awareness. But most importantly, it is bullying.
And what does bullying do to kids? It lowers their self-esteem, limits their socialization skills, and isolates them. In severe cases, bullying can cause clinically diagnosable depression and anxiety. It can even push children to end their lives. Similar effects occur as a result of transphobia experienced by minors.
Today, we will discuss those effects in depth and reveal what we can do to prevent or treat them.
The Effects
Continuously, transgender individuals' mental health issues are connected to transphobia and other negative LGBTQIA+ sentiments. In one study by the international peer-reviewed journal Behavioral Sciences, “depression and LGBTQ-based victimization were both significantly associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation.”
That same study showed that transgender youth, regardless of the specific gender identity they held, were all at a similar risk for depression. The conclusion conceded that the matching likelihood was probably because all transgender youths live in a world ripe with transphobia. It is a saddening fact that the entire LGBTQIA+ community recognizes and, until the world changes for the better, must adapt too.
The need to hide away or blend in can put extreme psychological distress on young people who are still growing mentally and psychically. On top of the normal, though still unacceptable, slights thrown between developing teenagers, transgender individuals deal with the unique form of bullying that is transphobia. Worse, this bullying does not end after high school or college.
Unlike when a teenager makes fun of a peer for wearing braces, transphobia is not an issue of maturity or age. It is somehow acceptable in our society to be transphobic towards others as adults. However, it is unacceptable for adults to tease each other about their clothing brands or medical needs. That is seen as immature and petty. Meanwhile, transphobia can be seen as a simple opinion. Although, I prefer to call it an act of bigotry because, well, it is.
The point is that it can be harder to see the light at the end of the tunnel when children know this bullying will likely continue and maybe even worsen as they grow older. Being transgender is not temporary or something that can be changed, like braces or a bad haircut. It is who they are. As a result, it cuts much, much deeper.
That is likely why transphobia produces severe mental health impacts. Aside from depression, transphobia can increase the chances of self-harm, chronic stress, anxiety, and suicide. As transgender kids become adults, transphobic encounters from childhood may manifest into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The disorder can cause “flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event,” according to Mayo Clinic. PTSD can also cause adults to lose hope in the future, struggle to maintain relationships, engage in self-destructive behaviors, and many more undesirable symptoms.
That said, adolescents do not need to experience transphobia directly for their mental health to suffer. Anti-LGBTQIA+ attitudes, policies, and systems influence the lives of transgender youths. Legislation may limit their ability to play their desired sport, receive gender-affirming care, or receive a proper mental health diagnosis.
All of these influences can cause psychological harm. They may feel like they are lesser than compared to their cisgender peers. Transgender youth could also be too immature to see a life past the limitations of being a minor. That can make them feel backed into a corner with no way out.
None of these thoughts are accurate. But, when you are distressed and experiencing hatred for something out of your control, it can be hard to wrap your mind around other possibilities. That is why advocates, mental health professionals, policymakers, and allies need to help make a change.
Solutions
There are many roads of solutions that I could go down. The one you decide to take will depend on your role in the movement, occupation, age, and skills. But, there is a path for everyone. If I fail to include a solution you know, please leave your idea in the comment section!
Here are the actionable pathways I thought of:
Students can join LGBTQIA+ clubs at their schools and use that club to challenge transphobia within their educational institutes.
Employees and employers can create clear lines of communication for reporting or responding to transphobia in the office (in-person or virtual).
Mental health professionals should educate themselves on how to best treat trans patients' specific needs. They should be aware of how transphobia can impact the community.
Policymakers need to counter the transphobic rulings. The US is built on the ideals of equality. All people, regardless of gender or sexuality, need to be equal. It is your job to ensure that happens.
Advocates can join CALM to support our blogs, resource efforts, podcasts, community outreach, and upcoming transgender advocacy documentary!
Allies need to be where transgender individuals lack representation for the voices of the community heard.
If you wish to show your support for CALM and mental health equality for all, check out our merch collaboration with Volunteer Humanity! 100% of the profits from the VH/CALM PRIDE Collection support our mission.
