Trends in suicide death risk in transgender people: results from the Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria study (1972–2017)

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the overall suicide death rate, the incidence over time, and the stage in transition where suicide deaths were observed in transgender people. Methods: A chart study, including all 8263 referrals to our clinic since 1972. Information on death occurrence, time, and cause of death was obtained from multiple sources. Results: Out of 5107 trans women (median age at first visit 28 years, median follow-up time 10 years) and 3156 trans men (median age at first visit 20 years, median follow-up time 5 years), 41 trans women and 8 trans men died by suicide. In trans women, suicide deaths decreased over time, while it did not change in trans men. Of all suicide deaths, 14 people were no longer in treatment, 35 were in treatment in the previous two years. The mean number of suicides in the years 2013-2017 was higher in the trans population compared with the Dutch population. Conclusions:We observed no increase in suicide death risk over time and even a decrease in suicide death risk in trans women. However, the suicide risk in transgender people is higher than in the general population and seems to occur during every stage of transitioning. It is important to have specific attention for suicide risk in the counseling of this population and in providing suicide prevention programs.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Significant outcomes• Suicide death risk in trans people did not increase over time.• Suicide deaths occurred during every stage of transitioning. • Suicide death risk is higher in trans people than in the general population.

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“…The finding concerning LGBTQIA* individuals as one group was expected (Hypothesis 2) and is in line with previous empirical work [ 21 ]. Research in this field is growing, and the vast majority of studies report significantly poorer well-being and mental health in individuals with minoritized sexual and/or gender identities when compared with heterosexual and cisgender individuals [ 44 – 47 ]. A recent systematic literature review of N = 77 studies reported higher general distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, suicidality as well as exposure to trauma and substance abuse among LGBTQIA* individuals [ 20 ].…”

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