Prevalence of mental health outcomes among trans and gender diverse adults: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.
Emily Rose Symes, Thomas Santo, Rachel Sutherland et al.
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In 30 seconds
This global systematic review and meta-analysis pooled mental health outcome estimates among trans and gender diverse adults. It included 207 studies with 134,071 participants across 52 countries. Pooled prevalence was 40.1% (95% CI 35.6-44.8) for depression and 29.8% (20.3-40.2) for anxiety; past-12-month prevalence was 43.1% (38.9-47.3) for suicidal ideation. Estimates varied by assessment method, recruitment setting, and region, while limited data suggested higher prevalence among non-binary participants.
Key findings
- Pooled depression prevalence was 40.1% (95% CI 35.6-44.8), combining screening-threshold symptoms and clinically diagnosed disorders.
- Past-12-month prevalence was 43.1% (38.9-47.3) for suicidal ideation and 9.3% (7.7-11.0) for suicide attempts.
- Pooled prevalence was 29.8% (20.3-40.2) for anxiety, 23.6% (14.9-33.5) for post-traumatic stress disorder, and 26.1% (20.4-32.2) for NSSI.
- Prevalence estimates varied significantly by assessment method, recruitment setting, and geographic region; limited data suggested higher prevalence among non-binary participants.
Why it matters
The review documents a substantial burden of mental disorders, suicidality, and non-suicidal self-injury across a broad international evidence base. Variation between studies also shows that estimates depend on how and where outcomes are assessed, which matters when interpreting prevalence data and planning services. The findings support attention to affirming, accessible mental healthcare for trans adults.
What to keep in mind
Estimates varied significantly by assessment method, recruitment setting, and geographic region; data on differences by gender identity were limited.