Study: depression amongst trans people solved by family support.

By James Branson

Transgender people have shockingly high rates of depression, anxiety and suicide.

Some studies indicate that around 40% of trans people will attempt suicide during their lifetime.

That has led some ‘experts’ to conclude that depression is just part of being transgender – that whatever genetic fate leads to trans people being trans comes hand in hand with an awful dose of depression.

Well… not so much, actually. A new study has concluded that transgender children whose families support their transition have levels of depression consistent with the general population.

Wow. Who would have thought that being accepted by those close to them would have a positive impact on transgender kids?

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, and looked specifically at children ages 3 to 12 who identified as the gender opposite to their sex at birth and who were undergoing transition.

“These findings suggest that familial support in general, or specifically via the decision to allow their children to socially transition may be associated with better mental health outcomes amongst transgender children,” researchers said.

The study did find slightly higher rates of anxiety, which was attributed to the likelihood the children being studied had undergone some victimisation by their peers.