New Survey Reveals Dire Mental Health Toll When Transgender Youth Are Denied Care

The latest data from The Trevor Project’s 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People delivers a stark warning about the consequences of restricting transgender healthcare. Surveying more than 16,000 LGBTQ+ youth aged 13 to 24 nationwide, the findings highlight the critical role gender-affirming care plays in the mental health and survival of transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) young people.

Transgender healthcare, which includes treatments like hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgeries, is medically recognized as essential for alleviating gender dysphoria—a condition where a person’s gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. While not all TGNB individuals pursue these treatments, for many, they are life-saving interventions backed by decades of scientific research and endorsed by major medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association.

Yet, as of May 2026, 26 states and one U.S. territory have enacted laws banning transgender healthcare for minors. The survey reveals the devastating impact of these policies: only 44% of TGNB youth who wanted hormone therapy were able to access it. Those denied this care were nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to those who received it (15% vs. 8%). This is not just a statistic; it is a human crisis fueled by political interference in healthcare.

Even in states without bans, TGNB youth face significant hurdles. A staggering 87% of those using hormones fear losing access, and 75% report difficulties such as insurance denials, long wait times, and a lack of knowledgeable providers nearby. These barriers compound the mental health struggles already faced by transgender youth, who experience elevated rates of depression and suicidal ideation compared to their cisgender peers.

The Trevor Project underscores that supporting transgender and nonbinary youth goes beyond healthcare access. Simple acts like respecting chosen names and pronouns, trusting young people’s self-knowledge, and standing up against discrimination can provide critical emotional support.

This survey’s findings expose the cruelty of policies that restrict transgender healthcare under the guise of “protection.” The data is clear: denying gender-affirming care endangers lives. As attacks on transgender rights escalate nationwide, the urgent need for accountability and resistance grows. We cannot stand by as politicians weaponize healthcare access and put young lives at risk.