Transgender teen suicide rates

[hoosierdoc]

https://www.advocate.com/youth/2018/9/11/study-more-half-trans-male-teens-attempt-suicide

this is so sad. What’s even worse is their “advocates” are blaming society for it. They are saying it shows we as a society need to urgently become more welcoming to the lifestyle as over half of transgender males have attempted suicide.

or... it shows a mental illness with massive suicide risk is being ignored and we are hurting these poor kids by telling them it’s society that is wrong.

I hope history judges us poorly for how we are handling this. Because that would mean we figured it out later and got these kids help

 

[HoughMade]

Yep. Profoundly sad. It’s not society that causes the depression, despair and suicide, it’s whatever is compelling them to reject who they are.

 

[churchmouse]

Yep. Profoundly sad. It’s not society that causes the depression, despair and suicide, it’s whatever is compelling them to reject who they are.

I have to agree with this.

It is terribly sad. And it is also wrong that we (society) are blamed for the problems folks are experiencing. I grow weary of this.

 

[Hohn]

https://www.advocate.com/youth/2018/9/11/study-more-half-trans-male-teens-attempt-suicide

this is so sad. What’s even worse is their “advocates” are blaming society for it. They are saying it shows we as a society need to urgently become more welcoming to the lifestyle as over half of transgender males have attempted suicide.

or... it shows a mental illness with massive suicide risk is being ignored and we are hurting these poor kids by telling them it’s society that is wrong.

I hope history judges us poorly for how we are handling this. Because that would mean we figured it out later and got these kids help

Given who's writing that history, I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

When they say transgender males, do they mean people who started out life as people who do NOT have pee pees, but now they want to be people who DO have pee pees? Or do they mean people who started out life as people who DO have pee pees, but now they want to be people who do NOT have pee pees?

So confused by the terminology...

 

[Denny347]

Yep. Profoundly sad. It’s not society that causes the depression, despair and suicide, it’s whatever is compelling them to reject who they are.

Is it though? Is it that easy to diagnose the cause of their depression?

 

[HoughMade]

Is it though? Is it that easy to diagnose the cause of their depression?

No. But whatever is causing them to reject themselves isn’t easy to diagnose.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Is it though? Is it that easy to diagnose the cause of their depression?

With a 50% suicide rate do you think there’s something else in common with these folks that’s more significant than living a life opposed to their genetics?

 

[JollyMon]

Growing up is rough. Hell, I had the worst time in middle/high school and I was straight. Kids are mean, regardless of what you believe or think. I was mean.... especially to some kids that might have fit this group....

I have changed over the years.. the golden rule is what I believe, how I teach my kids, regardless... people are different

 

[Denny347]

With a 50% suicide rate do you think there’s something else in common with these folks that’s more significant than living a life opposed to their genetics?

Perhaps. But correlation does not always equal causation. I would be interested in seeng study data though.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Perhaps. But correlation does not always equal causation. I would be interested in seeng study data though.

Of course it doesn’t. But you have a group of people who have significant mental illness and are being told by those who supposedly care that they are totally normal and it’s everyone else who is wrong. Untreated severe mental illness leads to increased rate of suicide? This is my shocked face

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2018/09/07/peds.2017-4218

women attempt more than men in general. But men are successful more often. It’s curious that female to male attempt more often, same as non-transgendered. As it would be expected for female to male still being female...

 

[Expat]

I remember reading in the past that even in societies that are more supportive of their situation, the suicide rate is still extremely high.

 

[K_W]

When they say transgender males, do they mean people who started out life as people who do NOT have pee pees, but now they want to be people who DO have pee pees? Or do they mean people who started out life as people who DO have pee pees, but now they want to be people who do NOT have pee pees?

So confused by the terminology...

In trans-speak a "trans male" is a biological female who believes themselves to be male.

 

[hoosierdoc]

I remember reading in the past that even in societies that are more supportive of their situation, the suicide rate is still extremely high.

Exactly. This is not bully-induced suicide

 

[hopper68]

We were warned this would happen if Trump won!

 

[Fargo]

Exactly. This is not bully-induced suicide

Oh, I would guess bullying factors into a fair percent, but we are talking about a situation where you already have the psychological stress of a perceived "reality" all of your senses tells you is not a physical reality.

I am in complete agreement that promoting the idea that there is no such thing as actual reality is a recipe for disaster for these kids. It now it seems to be fashionable to try and convince your kid that he or she should have a mental disorder.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Oh, I would guess bullying factors into a fair percent, but we are talking about a situation where you already have the psychological stress of a perceived "reality" all of your senses tells you is not a physical reality.

I am in complete agreement that promoting the idea that there is no such thing as actual reality is a recipe for disaster for these kids. It now it seems to be fashionable to try and convince your kid that he or she should have a mental disorder.

Back in my day we had to do this through the use of hallucinogens. Dang kids today...

 

[Denny347]

Of course it doesn’t. But you have a group of people who have significant mental illness and are being told by those who supposedly care that they are totally normal and it’s everyone else who is wrong. Untreated severe mental illness leads to increased rate of suicide? This is my shocked face

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2018/09/07/peds.2017-4218

women attempt more than men in general. But men are successful more often. It’s curious that female to male attempt more often, same as non-transgendered. As it would be expected for female to male still being female...

What is the mental illness not being treated? Gender Dysphoria?

 

[hoosierdoc]

What is the mental illness not being treated? Gender Dysphoria?

Yes

imagine an anorexic transgendered person. Society would say the only illness is anorexia. Just crazy.

 

[Hoosierkav]

I wonder if there is an element of this (article) at play, of some sorts. Teen suicide rates in the Pacific island area are exceedingly higher than in the rest of the world, seem to be a rite of passage of sorts. I would be curious, of the American trans teens, how many of them had signs of suicidal ideations/at-risk behaviors/mindsets. Definitely, it's a complex mess.

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/06/us/micronesia-s-male-suicide-rate-defies-solution.html