RIDOH releases data showing health challenges for transgender youth

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Health highlighted recent survey data that showed that transgender youth are significantly more likely to experience violence, bullying, substance use, and poor mental health outcomes.

The survey results showed that 71% of transgender Rhode Island high school students said they’ve felt so sad or hopeless for two or more weeks during the past year that they’ve stopped their normal activities, a rate that is twice as high as the number of cisgender students who reported the same feelings.

The data also showed transgender students were four to five times more likely to seriously consider suicide, were more likely to be bullied in person at school and online, and were significantly more likely to have been forced to ever have sex in their lifetime and to have experienced sexual dating violence in the past year.

RIDOH added that it is also highlighting available resources for schools, families, and communities to help support transgender youth, which include programs from both the department itself, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and other organizations.

The full data brief can be read here, while a list of support resources can be found here.