California – According to experts and advocates, the Trump administration’s policy decisions aimed at transgender youth have exacerbated a burgeoning mental health crisis among this already vulnerable population.
Even in California, which is known for its protective policies on transgender rights, nonprofit leaders and case workers report alarming increases in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among the youth they serve.
Jill Jacobs, CEO of the Bay Area-based Family Builders, expressed concern about the situation, saying, “Kids and families are scared to death. “It feels like they’re being terrorized.”
The Trevor Project, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth, reports a nearly 700% increase in contacts to its mental health crisis hotline following the presidential election.
Advocates argue that anti-trans policies at the federal level have created an environment in which prejudice against transgender people has become more acceptable. Some local communities have even felt empowered to implement their own discriminatory policies.
For example, several California school boards attempted to require staff to notify parents if a child identified as a gender other than what was on their official records, but the state has since outlawed those measures.
The anxiety caused by these political shifts is palpable, according to Jacobs, who noted that some government leaders’ open hatred is unprecedented in her nearly three decades of experience in the field. “What’s happening now is this overt hatred that’s being endorsed and supported,” explained the woman.
In a study published last fall, The Trevor Project discovered that states with anti-transgender legislation saw a 72% increase in suicide attempts.
In response, California has declared itself a sanctuary state for transgender healthcare, allowing out-of-state youths and families to obtain hormones and puberty blockers within its borders. Recent legislation also requires health insurers to cover transgender healthcare services.
However, the sanctuary status is now being challenged by the Trump administration. The administration’s executive orders include those that recognize only two biological sexes, threaten funding for schools that serve transgender students, and prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
One order, in particular, has sparked outrage by attempting to end hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care for people under the age of 19, referring to it as “chemical and surgical mutilation,” despite extensive research indicating that such care benefits mental health outcomes.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles temporarily suspended transgender health services for patients under the age of 19 in response to the order, but reversed its decision after receiving a warning from the California Department of Justice.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has stepped in, reminding healthcare providers that existing state laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener has proposed new legislation to strengthen protections for transgender youth, criticizing the “scapegoating” of a marginalized population.
“It should not surprise anyone that with this kind of toxic, horrific environment targeting trans people, that it would lead to mental health issues,” he told me.
Organizations that provide support services report an increase in fear and hopelessness among transgender youth.
Joscelyn Inton-Campbell, a manager at TransFamily Support Services in San Diego, noted a recent increase in attendance at their support sessions, saying, “A lot of the responses are ‘Do I have a future?'” Are they going to try to take away my access to medical care?”
Personal accounts highlight the added stress and fear that transgender people experience. Daniella, a 20-year-old community college student, described a terrifying incident of harassment in class and linked the palpable hostility in society to current leadership. “It was absolutely terrifying… “This is the new normal,” she explained.
L Tuiletufuga, a mental health professional who works with the San Diego LGBT Community Center, believes there is a direct link between the current political climate and the mental health of the youth they counsel. “They feel specifically and uniquely targeted by this administration,” he said.
Advocates continue to support transgender youth in the face of these challenges, emphasizing community resilience. Inton-Campbell emphasized the importance of reminding young people that there are caring adults in their lives, which has been shown to reduce suicide risk.
