Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Mental Health Needs, Barriers, and Receipt of Care Among Transgender and Nonbinary Adolescents
Ruby Lucas1, Sara Geierstanger2, Samira Soleimanpour2
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; School of Medicine, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
Purpose:
Transgender and nonbinary youth disproportionately experience adverse mental health outcomes compared to cisgender youth. This study examined differences in their mental health needs and supports, barriers to care, and receipt of mental health care.
Methods:
This study examined cross-sectional data from 43,339 adolescents who completed the California Healthy Kids Survey, 4% (n = 1,876) of whom identified as transgender and/or nonbinary. Chi-square test and t-test were used to compare mental health needs and supports, resilience, and barriers to and receipt of care experienced by transgender and nonbinary youth compared to cisgender youth.
Results:
Transgender and nonbinary youth were significantly more likely to experience chronic sadness/hopelessness (74% vs. 35%) and consider suicide (53% vs. 14%) and less likely to report resilience factors (school connectedness: mean score 3.12 vs. 3.52). Transgender and nonbinary youth were significantly less likely to be willing to talk to teachers/adults from school (12% vs. 18%) or parents/family members (21% vs. 43%), but more willing to talk to counselors (25% vs. 19%) regarding mental health concerns. Transgender and nonbinary youth were significantly more likely to select being afraid (48% vs. 20%), not knowing how to get help (44% vs. 30%), or concern their parents would find out (61% vs. 36%) as barriers to seeking mental health care, yet reported slightly higher odds of receiving care when needed (odds ratio: 1.2).
Discussion:
Transgender and nonbinary youth are more likely to report mental health concerns and barriers to seeking care than cisgender youth. Increasing access to care is critical for this population.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

