Transgender young people who want hormone therapy but cannot get it are nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide. That is the main finding of a new study by The Trevor Project, a leading US suicide prevention organisation for LGBTQ+ youth. The results were published in May 2026 and add to a growing body of evidence about the mental health effects of access to gender-affirming care.

The findings arrive at a politically charged moment. In the United States, several states have passed laws limiting hormone therapy for minors. A federal judge recently blocked Federal Trade Commission investigations into transgender medical groups. Meanwhile, families are in court trying to stop the Trump administration from accessing the medical records of trans children.

What the study measured

The Trevor Project surveyed more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people aged 13 to 24 across the United States. Researchers asked about access to gender-affirming care, mental health symptoms, and suicide attempts in the past year. They then compared trans and non-binary youth who wanted hormone therapy and received it with those who wanted it but were denied.

The result: those denied hormone therapy were almost twice as likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year. The pattern held even after researchers adjusted for age, region, and family support. The study does not prove that denial directly causes suicide attempts. But it adds to earlier research from the same group, published in 2022 and 2024, showing similar trends.

Why hormone therapy matters in this debate

Gender-affirming hormone therapy is a medical treatment that aligns body characteristics with gender identity. For trans teens, it usually starts with puberty blockers. Later, oestrogen or testosterone may be prescribed. Major medical organisations support the treatment under careful guidelines. These include the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In the Netherlands, the so-called Dutch Protocol has shaped international practice for decades. Treatment requires a thorough psychological assessment, parental consent for minors, and ongoing medical follow-up. The Dutch approach is often cited as the global standard for cautious, evidence-based care.

Critics argue that more long-term data is needed, especially on regret rates and bone development. Several European countries, including the United Kingdom and Sweden, have tightened their guidelines in recent years. They now favour psychological support as a first step and reserve hormones for clearly diagnosed cases. Supporters of access point out that regret rates in published studies remain low, typically below 2 percent.

What the numbers say about mental health

Mental health risks among trans youth are well documented. According to The Trevor Project's 2024 national survey, 39 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered suicide in the past year. Among trans and non-binary youth, the figure rose to 46 percent. The new 2026 data suggests that access to wanted medical care is one factor that shifts these numbers.

Other research supports this. A 2022 study in JAMA Network Open followed 104 trans and non-binary teens for one year. Those receiving hormones or blockers showed lower rates of depression and suicidal thoughts compared to those waiting for treatment. A larger 2023 study in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health reported similar improvements in psychological functioning.

What this means for parents and patients

For families, the practical takeaway is straightforward. If a young person is questioning gender identity, the first step is a consultation with a general practitioner or specialist clinic. In the Netherlands, gender clinics in Amsterdam and Groningen offer multidisciplinary assessments. Waiting lists remain long, often more than a year, which itself is a source of distress.

Mental health support during the wait is essential. Organisations such as Transvisie offer peer support for parents and youth. The Dutch suicide prevention helpline 113 is available around the clock. In the US, The Trevor Project runs a 24-hour crisis line specifically for LGBTQ+ young people.

Parents who feel uncertain about hormone therapy are not alone. Doctors recommend open conversation, accurate information, and avoiding rushed decisions in either direction. Denying a child's identity, however, carries clear mental health risks according to the available data.

The political context

The study lands in a tense political climate. In the United States, more than 20 states have passed laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors since 2023. The US Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban in 2025. A Republican governor recently signed a law creating a database of transgender patients, raising privacy concerns among medical groups.

European policy is more varied. The Netherlands continues to allow treatment under strict protocols. Hungary, under recently departed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, restricted legal gender recognition. The new prime minister Péter Magyar has signalled openness to reviewing LGBTQ+ rights, though concrete changes remain uncertain.

Health professionals warn that politicising medical care can have direct consequences. The American Medical Association has stated that legal restrictions interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. The World Health Organization classifies gender-affirming care as medically necessary when indicated.

Bottom line

The new Trevor Project study does not settle every debate about trans healthcare. It does add weight to a clear pattern in the research: access to wanted, properly assessed gender-affirming care is linked to better mental health outcomes for trans young people. Denial is linked to worse outcomes, including a higher risk of suicide attempts.

For readers wanting more context, see our coverage of related health topics, including sober cruising and gay health and recent legal rulings on trans-inclusion policy. Anyone in crisis can contact 113 in the Netherlands or The Trevor Project in the United States. Help is free, confidential, and available now.