Uncovering the Significant Suicide Risk Associated With Gender Affirmation Surgeries

Social Issues Jun 09, 2024 Tim Baker

With the increasing acceptance and prevalence of gender affirmation surgeries, a recent study has revealed a concerning trend: transgender individuals who undergo these procedures are at a higher risk of suicide or self-harm afterwards. This study examined data from over 90 million patients across the United States to understand the connection between gender affirmation surgeries and mental health. The researchers analyzed information from February 2003 to February 2023.

They divided the participants into four groups:

  • Group A: adults who had gender-affirming surgery and later visited the emergency department.
  • Group B: adults who visited the emergency department but did not have gender-affirming surgery.
  • Group C: adults who visited the emergency department and underwent other types of surgeries, such as tubal ligation or vasectomy, but not gender-affirming surgery.
  • Group D: a comparison group of individuals with pharyngitis.

After analyzing the data and comparing different mental health markers, such as suicide attempts and self-harm, the researchers made a troubling discovery. Those who had gender-affirming surgery were over 12 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those who did not have the surgery. This risk remained even after compared with people who had other surgeries like tubal ligation or vasectomy.

The study's conclusion is clear: while gender affirmation surgeries can be helpful for a small number of people with genuine gender dysphoria, there is a significant risk involved. It's crucial in today’s world to carefully consider whether these surgeries will be truly beneficial for each patient and to provide ongoing support for their mental health afterwards.

The Transformational Power of Human Connection: Why Our Mental Health System Needs More Than Pills and Protocols Social IssuesCulture The Transformational Power of Human Connection: Why Our Mental Health System Needs More Than Pills and Protocols In 2005, a young man stood on the edge of the Golden Gate Bridge, ready to end his life. Ninety minutes later, he stepped back from the ledge — alive. What changed? Read What are Depression & Anxiety? Social IssuesCulture What are Depression & Anxiety? There is a desperate and growing need in NZ for children and parents alike to understand what depression and anxiety actually are. This short animation was made with the oversight of a child psychiatrist and counsellors. It presents these emotions in a way that removes the stigma and brings about clarity for the child so that when he or she does inevitably feel these feelings, they can see it as a normal part of life. Read Meet Lyndsey - Honest, hardworking but, through no fault of his own, homeless Social IssuesCulture Meet Lyndsey - Honest, hardworking but, through no fault of his own, homeless Meet Lyndsey - Honest, hardworking but, through no fault of his own, homeless. Lyndsey worked physical jobs all through his life. Over the years he’s turned his hand to labouring, shearing, landscaping and orchard work. Read The drugs don’t work, they just make you worse Social Issues The drugs don’t work, they just make you worse Paris Williams, a psychologist, challenges conventional views on mental health and psychosis in his groundbreaking book "Rethinking Madness," advocating for a paradigm shift in understanding and treatment. Through insightful research and case studies, he demonstrates that embracing struggles rather than masking them with quick fixes may lead to profound transformation and full recovery. Read Lockdown Life 2: Thinking Traps PoliticsEnvironmentSocial IssuesCulture Lockdown Life 2: Thinking Traps There are various factors which are beyond our control during this COVID-19 pandemic and the appended lockdown, but what we do have a large degree of control over is how we think. This brings us quite naturally to the therapeutic modality with the greatest emphasis on understanding and changing our thought processes: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Read A Journey of Tribulation & Triumph Social IssuesCulture A Journey of Tribulation & Triumph So far my journey with anxiety and depression has gone on for forty years or close to it. They have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. In some ways I have been really lucky but as is the case with most people there have been ups and downs. Read
Help Us Help Others!

Your donations are incredibly important for us, and enable us to use our initiatives to help our fellow Kiwis.

Donate today
Join Our Newsletter

For the latest news and projects, keep up-to-date with our newsletter. We promise not to spam you; we get enough of that ourselves!