Suicide Risk Among Transgender Adolescents and Young Adults: A Meta‐Analysis of Nearly One Million Participants

BACKGROUND: Mental health disparities among transgender and gender diverse adolescents and young adults represent a critical public health concern. This meta-analysis examined suicidal risk among transgender youth compared to their cisgender peers. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we analyzed 29 studies published between 2015-2024, comprising nearly one million participants (957,163; 29,041 transgender and 928,122 cisgender). Random effects models were used to calculate risk ratios (RR) and prevalence estimates for suicidal ideation, planning, attempts, and completion. RESULTS: > 90%), indicating that pooled estimates should be interpreted with caution. Publication bias assessment suggested potential overestimation of unadjusted effects, with trim-and-fill adjustment reducing the pooled risk estimate (adjusted RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08-1.45). No significant differences emerged between transmale and transfemale groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, this meta-analysis documents markedly elevated suicidality among transgender adolescents and young adults, while emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation of aggregated effect sizes and further high-quality longitudinal research.