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# Study confirms positive effects of gender-affirming healthcare
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/study-confirms-positive-effects-of-gender-affirming-healthcare/
- Published: 2021-12-17T16:16:49.000Z
- Updated: 2021-12-17T09:47:23.000Z
- Description: A first-of-its-kind study has confirmed that trans youth who have access to gender-affirming healthcare are less likely to experience depression.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: Mental Health, News, Queer Corner, Gender-affirming healthcare, Healthcare, LGBTQ, The Trevor Project, Trans Youth, US

A first-of-its-kind study, published in the [*Journal of Adolescent Health*](https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X%2821%2900568-1/fulltext?ref=scenemag.co.uk), has confirmed that trans and non-binary youth in the US who have access to gender-affirming healthcare are considerably less likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts. Conducted by researchers from The Trevor Project, the study is the first large-scale project to examine the relationship between mental wellbeing and access to hormone therapy in young gender non-conforming people.

After gathering information from over 11,000 trans and non-binary people aged between 13 – 24, the study found that those under 18 were 40% less likely to report recent depression and/or suicide attempts if they had access to gender-affirming healthcare. However, it also found that young people of colour, particularly Black trans youth, were less likely to have access to appropriate healthcare and hormone treatment.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/trans-healthcare-now-1.jpg)

It also suggested that parental support affected healthcare access, with only 4% of under 18s being able to access gender-affirming healthcare without the support of their parents, compared to 80% who had at least one supportive parent. The study concluded by affirming the importance of gender-affirming healthcare, saying that *“there is a need to focus on increasing awareness and education around gender-affirming care for parents as well as among healthcare providers and others in positions to support youth health and well-being.”*