A Compassionate Look at Suicide: Garcia Family Medicine Stands with the Transgender Community
Published: April 10, 2025
By: Garcia Family Medicine
At Garcia Family Medicine, we approach every patient with care, understanding, and a deep commitment to their well-being. Suicide is a topic that touches many lives, often in quiet, hidden ways, and it’s one we hold with the utmost sensitivity—especially when it comes to the transgender community. If you’re reading this and feeling alone, overwhelmed, or uncertain, please know that you are not invisible to us. We see you, we hear you, and we are here for you. Reach out anytime at 816-427-5320—we’re just a call away.
A Heavy Reality, Met with Empathy
Suicide is a heartbreaking reality that affects people across all walks of life, but for transgender individuals, the weight can feel especially heavy. The numbers tell a story of struggle that demands our attention and care. According to a 2023 report from the Williams Institute, 81% of transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide at some point in their lives, and 42% have made an attempt. Compare that to the general population, where the lifetime suicide attempt rate sits at about 4.6%, per the CDC, and the disparity becomes painfully clear.
For transgender youth, the challenges can start early. The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, with transgender and nonbinary youth often reporting even higher rates—around 50% in some cases. About 14% of these young people attempted suicide in that same timeframe. These aren’t just statistics; they’re reflections of real lives, real pain, and real resilience.
We don’t share these numbers to overwhelm you but to acknowledge the truth of what many in the transgender community endure. Behind every percentage is a person—someone who might be sitting in silence, unsure of where to turn. At Garcia Family Medicine, we want you to know that your story matters, and we’re here to listen.
What Leads to This Pain?
Life for transgender individuals can come with challenges that pile up over time. Researchers often point to something called the Minority Stress Model—a framework that explains how constant stress from stigma, rejection, and discrimination can wear down mental health. A 2021 study in the American Journal of Community Psychology found that transgender people who face more harassment or family rejection are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. It’s not hard to see why: when the world feels like it’s pushing you away, it can be tough to hold onto hope.
Everyday struggles—like finding a job, securing safe housing, or even feeling comfortable in your own skin—can add to this burden. A 2016 study from the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research described how transgender individuals often face “policing” of their gender through systemic barriers, leaving them isolated. And for some, violence is a stark reality: a 2020 PMC study noted that transgender people experience higher rates of victimization, which can deepen feelings of despair.
Then there’s the question of care. Access to gender-affirming support—like hormone therapy or counseling—can make a world of difference. A 2022 study in JAMA Network Open showed that transgender and nonbinary youth who received gender-affirming care had 60% lower odds of depression and fewer suicidal thoughts over a year. But when that care is out of reach—sometimes due to laws or lack of resources—the opposite can happen. A 2024 Trevor Project report found that anti-transgender legislation led to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth in affected states. These barriers hurt, and we feel that hurt with you.
How We Recognize the Signs at Garcia Family Medicine
At Garcia Family Medicine, we’re not just here to treat symptoms—we’re here to see the whole person. When it comes to suicide risk, especially for our transgender patients, we pay close attention to the signs that something might be wrong. It could be a quiet comment, like “I don’t know if I can keep going,” or a pulling away from the people and things you once loved. Maybe you’re feeling more anxious than usual, or turning to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain. These are signals we take seriously.
We also listen for what’s unique to your experience. Have you been turned away by family after sharing who you are? Are you struggling to get the care that affirms your identity? These moments can shake your foundation, and we’re trained to recognize when they’re weighing on you. Our doors are open, and our hearts are too—call us at 816-427-5320 if you need to talk.
Walking Beside You: How We Can Help
You don’t have to face this alone. At Garcia Family Medicine, we’re here to offer a hand, a listening ear, and care that honors who you are. Here’s what that looks like:
A Safe Space: We provide affirming care that respects your identity. Research from Fenway Health in 2021 showed that transgender people who receive gender-affirming surgery or support feel less distress and think about suicide less often. We’re here to help make that possible for you.
Checking In: During your visits, we’ll gently ask about how you’re feeling—emotionally and mentally. If you’re hurting, we’ll work together on a plan that feels right for you.
Connections: Feeling alone can make everything harder. We can link you to support groups or resources like The Trevor Project, which offers round-the-clock help for LGBTQ+ folks in crisis.
Family Matters: For our younger patients, we know family support can change everything. The Trevor Project found that accepting families cut suicide risk significantly. We’re here to help your loved ones understand and stand by you.
Immediate Help: If you’re in a dark place right now, don’t wait. Call us at 816-427-5320, or reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. We’ll get you through this.
You Are Enough, Just as You Are
To every transgender person reading this: you are enough. The world can be harsh, and the weight of rejection or judgment can feel crushing—but it doesn’t erase your value. A 2021 Williams Institute fact sheet found that transgender people with access to affirming care had a suicide attempt rate of 5% in the past year, compared to 9% for those who couldn’t get it. That’s proof that support saves lives. And while some studies, like one from PMC in 2020, suggest lingering challenges for a few after gender-affirming steps, the bigger picture shows that love, care, and acceptance light the way forward.
At Garcia Family Medicine, we’re not here to judge or fix you—we’re here to walk with you. Your journey is yours, and we’re honored to be part of it.
Reach Out Today: 816-427-5320
If you’re carrying a quiet pain, or if you just need someone to hear you, please call us at 816-427-5320. Garcia Family Medicine is a place where you’re seen, valued, and cared for. You don’t have to face this alone—let’s take the next step together.
Stay proactive about your health,
Garcia Family Medicine
References
Williams Institute (2023). "More than 40% of transgender adults in the US have attempted suicide."
The Trevor Project (2023). "U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People."
BMC Public Health (2015). "Intervenable factors associated with suicide risk in transgender persons."
JAMA Network Open (2025). "Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care."
The Trevor Project (2024). "Anti-Transgender Laws Cause up to 72% Increase in Suicide Attempts."
American Journal of Community Psychology (2021). "Minority Stress and Suicide Risk."
Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research (2016). "Policing gender through housing and employment discrimination."
Fenway Health (2021). "New Study Shows Transgender People Who Receive Gender-Affirming Surgery."
Williams Institute (2021). "Access to gender-affirming care associated with lower suicide risk."
PMC (2020). "Elevated Rates of Violence Victimization and Suicide Attempt Among Transgender Patients."
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. Consult a doctor for medical advice. Call Garcia Family Medicine at 816-427-5320 for personalized care.
