artificial insemination syringe
A recent study by the Trevor Project underscores the crucial role of acceptance for intersex youths, revealing alarming statistics related to their mental health. In the past year, nearly half (48 percent) of LGBTQIA+ intersex youths have seriously contemplated suicide, emphasizing the urgent need for inclusion and support.
Content warning: This article addresses youth suicide rates.
Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death among young people, with LGBTQIA+ individuals being four times more likely to consider or attempt suicide compared to their straight, cisgender counterparts. Disturbingly, intersex youths experience an even higher suicide risk. The report indicates that 19 percent of intersex youths reported a suicide attempt in the past year, surpassing the 14 percent of LGBTQ youths who do not identify as intersex.
The Trevor Project, which aims to assist LGBTQIA+ youths in crisis, surveyed over 1,000 intersex individuals aged 13 to 24 for its 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. Although Planned Parenthood estimates that 1 to 2 in every 100 individuals born in the U.S. are intersex, young members of this community face significant challenges, particularly due to mistreatment from peers, family, and healthcare providers. Often, these young people are pressured into surgeries or treatments intended to force them into a binary gender role.
The report reveals that 48 percent of intersex youths seriously considered suicide in the past year, compared to 41 percent of their non-intersex LGBTQ peers. Among intersex individuals aged 13 to 17, nearly one in four (24 percent) reported attempting suicide in the previous year, while 14 percent of those aged 18 to 24 did the same.
Research indicates that several factors contribute to the mental health struggles of intersex youths, including unnecessary medical interventions, societal pressure to conform to a specific gender identity, discrimination, and issues such as housing instability and food insecurity. “We know mental health challenges are more prevalent among LGBTQ youth compared to their cisgender, straight peers. When we look specifically at intersex youth, those rates are even higher,” stated Dr. Lynn Carter, a senior researcher at the Trevor Project.
However, the report points to acceptance as a powerful remedy to these troubling statistics. “Intersex youth are so much more than their bodies,” Dr. Carter noted. By recognizing them as individuals, we can shift the focus to what truly matters to them, rather than strictly adhering to a medicalized understanding of their identities.
The findings reveal that intersex youths with just one accepting parent are 55 percent less likely to attempt suicide, and those with a supportive social environment see even better outcomes. The report also stresses the necessity for policy changes, such as gender-neutral restrooms and inclusive sex education, to foster true acceptance. The message must be clear: “we see you, we know you’re here, and we accept you for who you are,” especially for intersex youths, who often face obstacles to living authentically from a young age. Change is long overdue.
For more insights, check out this related blog post, which discusses the importance of acceptance for intersex youths.
If you are considering starting a family, you might find useful information on artificial insemination kits and boosting fertility supplements on Make a Mom. For further understanding of the success rates related to home insemination, this resource from WebMD is highly recommended.
Search Queries:
- home insemination kit
- self insemination
- artificial insemination techniques
- fertility supplements
- LGBTQ youth mental health
Summary:
The Trevor Project’s latest report reveals that intersex youths face significant mental health challenges, with nearly half contemplating suicide. The study highlights the critical role of acceptance and support from family and peers in improving their well-being. Policy changes and a shift in societal attitudes are necessary to ensure that intersex individuals can live authentically and without fear of discrimination.
Keyphrase: Acceptance for Intersex Youths
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]