Suicidality and Self-Harm

Death by suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with rates rising over a 20-year period beginning in the early 2000s. While the trends related to death by suicide in the United States are generally concerning, rates of suicidality—suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide—are disproportionately higher within trans populations relative to cis populations. Rates of self-harming behavior (also referred to in the literature as nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior [NSSI]), a common precursor to suicidality, are also disproportionately high within trans populations.

Given these concerning trends, researchers and health practitioners have sought to gain accurate estimates of the prevalence of suicidality within trans populations and to identify correlates of suicidal behavior to improve mental health supports. Some of these efforts are associated ...